Abstract

Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles which results in energy expenditure above the resting level. For children and young people, physical activity includes play, games, sports, physical education, or planned exercise, in the context of family, school or the community. Lack of physical activity is already a global health hazard and is a rapidly increasing problem among adolescents due to changes in lifestyle, the availability and constant use of newer technologies and devices. Preventive interventions addressing physical inactivity should begin early in life for lifelong benefits and these should target the adolescents at the right time to change the age of inactivity to an age of opportunity. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among adolescents in higher secondary schools in a block panchayat area in Kerala using a self-administered semi structured questionnaire. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to assess the pattern of physical activity among adolescents. The statistical significance of association was tested using Pearson Chi square test for qualitative variables and binary logistic regression analysis was used to find out the independent predictors of physical inactivity. Results: The prevalence of inadequate physical activity which is one of the risk factors for lifestyle diseases was 42.4% and the prevalence was higher in girls. Significant association was found between female gender, mother being employed, studying in government aided schools and inadequate physical activity. Conclusion: Physical activity needs to be emphasised as a protective behaviour during adolescence to halt the progression of chronic diseases. Adolescence provides a key opportunity where risk and protective factors can be modified altering the health trajectory into adulthood.

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