| dc.description.abstract | Introduction
Understanding the context where adolescents’ physical activity (PA) takes place could
impact a more targeted approach to implement PA promotion and interventions in Africa.
However, standardized data on adolescents’ PA behaviour is lacking in Nigeria. We
described PA patterns in the various domains (home, school, transport, leisure-time) and
intensity categories (light-intensity PA, moderate- to vigorous- intensity physical activity
[MVPA] and total PA), and their associations with sociodemographic factors and socioeconomic
status (SES) among secondary school adolescents in Nigeria.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of 1006 secondary
school adolescents (12–18 years, 50.4% girls) in Maiduguri, Nigeria. Self-reported PA was
assessed with an adapted version of the Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents and Young
Adults. Outcomes were weekly minutes (min/wk) of PA spent in the various domains and
intensity categories. Multivariate ANOVA was used to examine associations of PA scores
(domains and intensity levels) with adolescents’ sociodemographic characteristics and
SES, and track differences in PA scores between subgroups.
Results
The total sample reported most PA at school (1525 min/wk), the least during active transportation
(210 min/wk), and only 37% engaged in 60 min of MVPA daily. Boys reported significantly
more leisure-time PA (P<0.001), active transportation (P<0.001), MVPA (P =
0.023) and total PA (P = 0.003) than girls, while girls reported more school-based PA (P =
0.009), home-based PA (P<0.001) and light-intensity PA (P<0.001) than boys. Moderateintensity
PA (P = 0.024) and total PA (P = 0.049) were significantly higher in younger age
group than in older group. Household car ownership was associated with less active transportation (P = 0.009), less moderate-intensity PA (P = 0.048) and with more leisuretime
PA (P = 0.013). High parental SES was associated with more leisure-time PA (P =
0.002), more MVPA (P = 0.047) and less active transportation (P<0.001). Adolescents of
various weight status differed significantly in their leisure-time PA (P<0.001), moderateintensity
PA (P = 0.011) and total PA (P = 0.033).
Conclusions
The patterns and levels of physical activity among adolescents in Nigeria vary according to
the adolescents’ age, gender, weight status and SES. These findings have important public
health implications for identifying subgroups of Nigerian adolescents that should be targeted
for effective physical activity promoting interventions | |
