Trends in physical activity in Greenlandic schoolchildren, 1994–2006

Abstract

Objectives. To describe trends in self-reported physical activity among Greenlandic schoolchildren from 1994 to 2006, and to analyse associations between physical activity and quality of life, health, academic achievement, school satisfaction and substance use. Study design. Trend analysis of the Greenlandic data reported in the Health Behaviour in SchoolAged Children (HBSC) survey on , , and 5 years olds in 994, 998, 00 and 006. Methods. Analyses of associations data on all participating children in Greenland who were to 7 years old in 006 were used. Results. Only about 30% of all children aged 11, 13 and 15 years fulfilled the national recommendations of being moderately physically active for 60 minutes a day. A higher proportion of children were highly physically active in 006 compared with earlier years while no trend was seen in the proportion of inactive children. Fewer children were moderately active as they aged, but at the same time more children seemed to become more physically active with increasing age. Fewer children in the settlements were highly physically active compared with children living in the towns and the capital. Physically active children had good academic achievement, good selfrated health and smoked less on a daily basis when compared with inactive children. Conclusions.The results indicate that an increase in the level of physical activity among schoolchildren instead of a general decrease has taken place from 994 to 006. A high level of physical activity was associated with a positive rating of health, good quality of life and good academic achievement. The low number of highly physically active children living in the settlements is of concern.

Leisure Time Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior and Substance Use Among In-School Adolescents in Eight African Countries

“…This finding seems to concur with some studies among college students [8] but not with other studies on adolescent school children [3,4,6,10]. While this study found that tobacco and illicit drug use were not associated with physical activity, other studies found an inverse association between physical activity and tobacco and illicit drug use [2,3,6,7,10,11]. Furthermore, this study found that higher socioeconomic status was associated with participation in more frequent physical activity.…”

“…A number of cross-sectional studies among adolescents found an association between physical inactivity and substance use: smoked more on a daily basis [2], smoking and other tobacco use, as well as alcohol consumption during the previous 30 days [3], alcohol consumption [4], cigarette smoking, marijuana use [5], initiation of cigarette smoking and alcohol use [6], cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and marijuana [7].…”

Sociodemographic Correlates of Substance Use in a Sample of Egyptian Female University Students

“…A variety of cross-sectional studies about relation between youth's free time activities and substance use have demonstrated a correlation between physical inactivity and drug usage; smoked more on a regular basis, 39 smoking and other tobacco use, as well as alcohol intake over the previous 30 days, 40 alcohol consumption, 41 cigarette smoking, marijuana consumption, 42 smoking and alcohol intake, 43 nicotine, smokeless tobacco, and marijuana intake. 44 In contrast, Matejovičová et al 21 failed to find a significant relation between leisure time sports activity and drug use among female university students in Slovakia.…”

Physical activity patterns in Greenland: A country in transition

“…However, it is likely that time is spent on watching television or DVDs and on a computer rather than using these facilities. A study of trends in physical activity of Greenlandic schoolchildren showed that about one-quarter of the children were heavy television watchers, spending four hours a day or more [19].…”