Proportion of School Attending Adolescents Meeting the Recommended Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Level and Its Predictors in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

We aimed to assess the proportion of school attending adolescents who reached the recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) level in Lagos State, Nigeria, as well as the predictors associated with it. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 720 adolescents aged 12–19 years from 20 schools in Lagos State in 2020. MVPA level was assessed using the Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents. Predictors assessed were socio-demographic variables, anthropometric measurements, sedentary behaviour, self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers. Complete data was provided by 528 adolescents for the study (73% response rate). The recommended MVPA level was reached by 82.8% (95% CI 79.3–85.7) of the participants. Participants spent a median time of 44 (IQR 12.9, 110) minutes of MVPA per day on household-based activities, followed by school-based activities (21.4; 4.3, 50.4), active transportation (14.3; 0, 35), sport-based activities (8.6; 0, 58.9) and leisure-based activities (8.6; 1.1, 34.3). Participants in public schools were four times more likely to meet the recommended MVPA level compared to those in private schools (OR 3.97, 95% CI 2.46–6.42). A high proportion of school adolescents met the recommended MVPA level in Lagos State, Nigeria. Our study suggests that interventions for promoting MVPA should be targeted to private schools.

Barriers and facilitators of physical activity among school attending adolescents in Lagos State, Nigeria: A qualitative study exploring views and experiences of decision‐makers in secondary schools

“… 27 Recent studies have shown a prevalence of about 5.8%−9.7%. 11 , 28 A continuous increase in the prevalence of overweight could further compound this barrier to physical activity in the future, creating a vicious cycle of both increasing adolescence overweight and decreasing physical activity levels. This calls for targeted interventions of behavioral modifications such as diet and physical activity, which have shown to have moderate quality evidence for the lowering of body weights in adolescents.…”

“…Existing evidence from a narrative review which included data from 1983 to 2013 reported that about 1.0%−8.6% of Nigerian adolescents were overweight 27 . Recent studies have shown a prevalence of about 5.8%−9.7% 11,28 . A continuous increase in the prevalence of overweight could further compound this barrier to physical activity in the future, creating a vicious cycle of both increasing adolescence overweight and decreasing physical activity levels.…”

“…Studies conducted in Lagos State have shown that the type of schools adolescents attend can impact their participation in physical activities. 11 There is also evidence of increased participation in physical activities of adolescents in schools following a professional development training program for teachers to promote physical activity in adolescents in Lagos State. 12 …”

“…These studies have reported some sociodemographic factors such as religion, parents, socioeconomic status, number of children in the family, motivation, self‐efficacy, age, and weight status as factors associated with physical activity. Studies conducted in Lagos State have shown that the type of schools adolescents attend can impact their participation in physical activities 11 . There is also evidence of increased participation in physical activities of adolescents in schools following a professional development training program for teachers to promote physical activity in adolescents in Lagos State 12 …”

“…Studies conducted in Lagos State have shown that the type of schools adolescents attend can impact their participation in physical activities. 11 There is also evidence of increased participation in physical activities of adolescents in schools following a professional development training program for teachers to promote physical activity in adolescents in Lagos State. 12 Lagos State occupies a unique position in Nigeria as the country's largest urban area, and it has over a thousand secondary schools to accommodate its teeming adolescent population.…”