Nível de atividade física em adolescentes do Município de Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Level of physical activity in adolescents from Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract

O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar o nível de atividade física (AF) de adolescentes de Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. Alunos (n = 325) da rede pública de ensino tiveram seus AF avaliados pelo questionário de Crocker et al. (1997), PAQ-C. Dados antropométricos (massa corporal, estatura e índice de massa corporal) e horas que assistem à televisão (TV) também foram coletados. As médias dos escores do PAQ-C foram 2,3 e 2,0 para meninos e meninas, respectivamente (p This study focused on levels of physical activity (PA) in adolescents from Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. Adolescents (n = 325) from the public school system filled out the physical activity questionnaire (PAQ-C) developed by Crocker et al. (1997). Anthropometric data (body mass, stature, and body mass index) and television (TV) viewing time were also assessed. Mean PAQ-C scores were 2.3±0.6 and 2.0±0.6 for males and females, respectively (p < 0.01). Mean TV times were 4.4 h/day and 4.9 h/day for males and females, respectively. The most popular PA was soccer for boys and soccer and walking for girls. Adolescents in the sample tended to be more active on weekends as compared to weekdays. PAQ-C scores classified 85% of boys and 94% of girls as inactive individuals. These results pose a concern as to the high prevalence of inactivity in this age group, which increases the probability of inactive adults. However, other studies are needed to investigate PA throughout adolescence and the determinants of PA in Brazilian adolescents.

Keywords

• Atividade Física
• Adolescência
• Saúde do Adolescente
• Physical Activity
• Adolescence
• Adolescent Health