Differences in physical activity, eating habits and risk of obesity among Indonesia adolescent boys and girls: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional study assessed differences in physical activity and dietary habits among adolescents in Indonesia.

METHODS

Multistage cluster design was used with a representative sample of 375 students, 234 female participants, 141 male participants, aged 11-18. The instruments used were PAQ-A and AFHC. Statistical analysis used the Pearson Chi-square test.

RESULTS

This study found that adolescents with an overweight BMI were more common among female adolescents, with 30 participants having a family history of obesity (26.9%). Most participants attended public schools, with a higher number of female adolescents (49.9%). This lack of physical activity/exercise duration was found more frequently in female adolescents (49.3%). This study has found a greater difference in the choice of PAQ-A items#3,#5,#6, and#7. Where the choice of PAQ-A items in#3 female adolescents have chosen more"sat down (talking, reading, doing schoolwork)"as much as 42.1%, in items #5"not doing physical activity/sports during the week as much as 21.1%, items#6"doing physical activity/sports only 1 time a week as much as 22.8%, and items#7 have chosen more"I sometimes (1-2 times last week) did physical things in my free time (e.g played sport, went running, swimming, bike riding, did aerobics)"as much as 30.8%. and although statistical analysis results did not showed differences, the percentage of AFHC items selected by participants showed differences between items #1 and #23.

CONCLUSIONS

The large risk of physical inactivity and inadequate eating habits in adolescent girls, means that lifestyle education is needed to promote healthy body mass targeting adolescents and must consider gender factors.