Pattern and Determinants of Physical Activity in Rural and Urban Adolescents of North India: A Population Based Study

Background: Developing countries are experiencing an epidemic of physical inactivity. However, only a few studies have focused on domains and pattern of physical activity (PA) among adolescents. Objective: This study attempts to find out the region specific environmental and social determinants of PA in 10 to 19-year age group. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in the government and private schools of district Ambala, Haryana, situated in North India over a period of 1 year (2013–2014). A stratified random sampling technique was used for a sample size of 1714 participants. PA was assessed using an interviewer-administered youth PA questionnaire which prompts volunteers to self-report on the mode, frequency, and duration of PA and sedentary activities in different domains, including school time and leisure time over the past 7 days. Results: The average duration of screen time per day was reported significantly higher among female as compared to male adolescents; however, it was more than 2 h among both the genders. The average total moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) duration consistently remained less than 60 min/day and metabolic equivalent of task minutes decreased significantly ( P = 0.00) with an increasing age after 12 years. Being overweight and obese had 30% less chance of carrying out MVPA as compared to those with body mass index (BMI) Conclusion: The current study reported an overall higher duration of sedentary activity as compared to MVPA among adolescents of North India. PA was mostly associated with environmental factors and inactivity was most associated with sociodemographic factors.