Physical Inactivity among Danish and Colombian Adolescents with Lower Level of Family Affluence

Abstract

Background & Objectives: This study aimed to assess levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours among Danish and Colombian adolescents, and to compare relevant environmental and psychosocial factors associated with physical inactivity (PI) between both student groups. Further, we aimed to compare PI between Danish students born in Denmark and those with immigrant background living in Denmark, but born in another country. Methods:The comparative study was performed with 1.374 Danish adolescents (among them 152 born outside the country) who participated in the Danish Youth Cohort and 452 Colombian students who completed the ISCOLE questionnaire, both from the most disadvantaged socioeconomic strata. Results:The prevalence of physical inactivity (PI) was much higher among Colombian students (74.6%) compared with Danish (25.2%) and with students with a non-Danish background living in Denmark (21.1%). Both groups of Danish adolescents participated more often in organized sports, spent more time on sports after school, were more likely to actively commute to school compared to Colombians and spent less time on screen viewing than Colombians did. In both Columbian and Danish students, low time spent on sports after school, and poorer self-perceived health, were associated with PI. Sedentary behaviours (time in front of screen) were also positively associated with PI. Conclusion:Most Colombian adolescents were not meeting the recommendation of accumulating at least 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA for positive health outcomes as most Danish adolescents did independently of their ethnic background. We assume that the physical and social environment in the neighbourhoods where adolescents live may explain the differences in levels of PA between the countries.

School Food Environment, Food Consumption, and Indicators of Adiposity Among Students 7‐14 Years in Bogotá, Colombia

“…39,42 Furthermore, these studies, along with some in other countries, have also found a positive relationship between sedentary behaviors and overweight/obesity status in children, where children who spend more time watching TV have increased odds of being overweight/obese. 39,[43][44][45]…”

“…Studies of physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and overweight/obesity in children in Colombia and other countries have found comparable results to those found in our study. Several previous analyses of children in Colombia have also found that most children in the country are not engaged in sufficient levels of physical activity and few meet WHO recommendations for physical activity (at least 60 minutes per day, every day) . In addition, studies on sedentary behaviors have also found that Colombian children have high levels of sedentary behaviors with about 50% of children spending 2 or more hours per day watching TV .…”

“…Several previous analyses of children in Colombia have also found that most children in the country are not engaged in sufficient levels of physical activity and few meet WHO recommendations for physical activity (at least 60 minutes per day, every day). [37][38][39][40][41] In addition, studies on sedentary behaviors have also found that Colombian children have high levels of sedentary behaviors with about 50% of children spending 2 or more hours per day watching TV. 39,42 Furthermore, these studies, along with some in other countries, have also found a positive relationship between sedentary behaviors and overweight/obesity status in children, where children who spend more time watching TV have increased odds of being overweight/obese.…”

“…[37][38][39][40][41] In addition, studies on sedentary behaviors have also found that Colombian children have high levels of sedentary behaviors with about 50% of children spending 2 or more hours per day watching TV. 39,42 Furthermore, these studies, along with some in other countries, have also found a positive relationship between sedentary behaviors and overweight/obesity status in children, where children who spend more time watching TV have increased odds of being overweight/obese. 39,[43][44][45]…”