The influence of gender on the practice of physical activity in high school adolescents in the city of Manaus

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.20164003302309

Abstract

Obesity is a public health problem that has been growing, especially in developing countries. It is associated with
genetic factors as well as with cultural factors, overeating, and leading a sedentary lifestyle. The aim of this study was to
compare sedentary behaviors and levels of physical activity, based on gender, among high school teenagers studying in
the state public school system in the city of Manaus, AM, Brazil. The final sample consisted of 864 adolescents of both
genders within the ages of 15 and 19 years old. The information was collected by means of a formulated questionnaire
and adapted based on COMPAC2. The results were presented using descriptive statistics and a comparison between
groups (male and female) was performed using a chi-squared test. The male student group (M) presented higher levels
of participation in the physical activities and presented more time dedicated to these activities than the female group
(F) which stated preference for computer use and participation in cultural activities. Moreover, 64.3% of the young men
and 35.5% of the young women claimed to dedicate between 30 and 60 minutes or more per day to the practice of
physical activity. The most used means of transportation to and from school was on foot (M: 62.3%; F: 57.8%). In regards
to sedentary behavior, 60% of those assessed stated that they spend more than 2 hours watching television programs
each day and 52% of the young men and 42.8% of the young women stated the use of a computer for more than 2
hours each day. The results reveal that the practice of physical activity and sedentary behavior is gender dependent,
since the female students practiced less physical activities and therefore presented more sedentary habits.