Background To identify the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of different domains of physical activity (PA) and higher sitting time among South American adolescents. Methods Data from national surveys of 11 South American countries were analyzed, and comprised information on 166,901 adolescents. PA (≥ 60 min/day of moderate-vigorous PA), physical education classes (PEC) (≥ 3 classes/wk), active commuting to school (≥ 1 d/wk), and higher sitting time (≥ 3 h/d) were self-reported. Sociodemographic correlates, such as gender, age, and food security status were explored using a random effect meta-analysis for logistic parameters. Results Recommended PA ranged between 7.5% (Brazil) and 19.0% (Suriname). Peru (2.2%) and Guyana (43.1%) presented the lowest prevalence of PEC and active commuting to school, respectively. Higher sitting time was less prevalent in Bolivia (24.6%) and more prevalent in Argentina (55.6%). Compared to girls, boys were more prone to reach recommendations for PA [OR = 1.94(1.65;2.28)]; to reach ≥ 3 PEC [OR = 1.17(1.04;1.33)] and to be active in commuting to school [(OR = 1.14(1.06;1.23)], but less prone to higher sitting time [OR = 0.89(0.82;0.96)]. Older adolescents had less odds of reach PA guidelines [OR = 0.86(0.77; 0.97)] and accumulated higher sitting time [OR = 1.27(1.14;1.41)]. Adolescents with food insecurity reported more PEC [OR = 1.12(1.04;1.21)] and active commuting to school [OR = 1.12(1.02;1.22)] but had less higher sitting time than their food security pairs [OR = 0.89(0.81;0.98)]. Conclusions Few adolescents reach the PA recommendation. Actions aiming the promotion of PA and the reduction of sitting time must consider girls and older adolescents as target groups, as well as the specifics of each country.

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We analyzed the associations of screen-based behaviors with obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, and the moderation of different physical activity (PA) domains in these associations. We used data from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey, including data from 80,940 adults (mean age of 32.6 years). TV viewing, other screens (PC, tablet, and cell phone), PA domains (leisure-time, occupational, and transport) were collected via interview. Logistic regression models were used. There was a dose–response association of higher TV viewing with diabetes. Within the groups with medium and higher time spent on other screens, those with < 150 min/week in leisure-time PA increased the odds for obesity [1–2.9 h/day: OR = 1.18 (1.01, 1.39)] and hypertension [1–2.9 h/day: OR = 1.29 (1.08, 1.53); ≥ 6 h/day: OR = 1.47 (1.03, 2.09)]. Likewise, among the participants who spent ≥ 6 h/day of TV viewing, those with < 150 min/week of occupational PA presented higher odds for hypertension [OR = 1.61 (1.03, 2.53)]. In the group with higher use of other screens, < 150 min per week of occupational PA was associated with lower odds for obesity [1–2.9 h/day: OR = 0.81 (0.68, 0.97)] and hypertension [≥ 6 h/day: OR = 0.65 (0.44, 0.98)]. In conclusion, the associations of other screens with obesity and hypertension were strongest among those without leisure-time PA, while the moderator role of occupational PA was not clear.