Abstract:
Introduction Epidemiological studies conducted in both developed and developing countries
have shown consistent results on health benefits of physical activity and health risk of
inactivity leading to non communicable diseases. Very little research has been done on
physical activity among children and adolescents and there is a paucity of information on
physical activity level of Sri Lankan adolescents. Physical activity assessment
questionnaires have been validated for adults. However, validated physical activity
assessment instruments are not available in Sri Lanka to assess physical activity in
adolescents. The present study was carried out with the objective of assessing the physical
activity and sedentary behaviour pattern among adolescent school children aged 13-14 years
in the Rathnapura district and identifying selected correlates of physical activity. The study
included two phases. During Phase I of the study two study instruments were selected,
modified and translated to assess the physical activity pattern, sedentary behaviour and
physical activity correlates of adolescent school children aged 13-14 years in the Rathnapura
district (PAQ-S and PACE+PSM-S). A questionnaire to collect socio demographic data of
adolescents (PQPA-S) was also developed during phase 1. The P AQ-S was validated to
assess the prevalence of physical activity among adolescent school children during Phase 1
of the study. Yam ex Digi-Walker CW 701 pedometer was used as the objective measure in
validating the PAQ-S. Reliability of PAQ-S and PACE+PSM-S were also assessed. The
outcome measure of physical activity assessment questions was participation in moderate to
vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes per day for 5 days or more per week.
Based on this cut off value adolescents were categorized as sufficiently active or
insufficiently active. A cross sectional study was carried out during Phase 2 of the study to
assess the physical activity pattern, sedentary activities and to identify selected
environmental, socio-demographic and psychosocial correlates of physical activity pattern
of adolescent school aged 13-14 years children in the Rathnapura district. The students were
selected for the study using two stage cluster sampling technique. Socio demographic
factors such as age, sex, sector, BMI, income level of family, social status of family,
parental education level and parents physical activity level, functional classification of
schools.
