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Physical activity, physical fitness and screen-time among Ecuadorian adolescents

Abstract:

Similar to various low and middle income countries (LMICs), in Ecuador, the leading cause death is lifestyle related non-communicable disease (NCDs). Unfortunately preventive action to decrease the incidence of NCDs risk factors during adolescence is scarce. To our knowledge, there are no studies in Ecuador focused on improving the dietary intake, physical activity, physical fitness or sedentary patterns among adolescents. The present doctoral work aims to provide evidence on strategies to promote a healthy lifestyle in Ecuadorian adolescents. For this purpose, first we evaluated the current physical fitness among adolescents, and its association with dyslipidemia as the most prevalent NCD risk factor. Second, we analyzed the effect of a school-based health promotion program on physical fitness, physical activity and sedentary behaviors among adolescents. Finally, we assessed whether adolescents that are already at health risk such as overweight/obese and those with a low fitness level respond differently to the intervention program. In order to study the current state of physical fitness among Ecuadorian adolescents, a cross sectional study in an urban (Cuenca city) and a rural (Nabón canton) area was conducted (Chapter 2.1). In total of 648 adolescents (52.3% boys), attending 8th, 9th and 10th grade of the secondary schools participated in this study. We found that the majority of adolescents (59%) had poor physical fitness according to the FITNESSGRAM standards. Urban participants showed better scores in the majority of EUROFIT tests compared to their rural peers. The physical fitness of the whole population was worse compared …