# Vigorous physical activity and weight status in school-aged children: a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study finds that adolescents who engage in vigorous physical activity less frequently are more likely to have unhealthy weight status compared to those who are more active.

## Contribution

The study provides population-level evidence that infrequent vigorous physical activity is linked to higher odds of obesity in adolescents across multiple countries.

## Key findings

- Adolescents who participate in vigorous physical activity less than daily have higher odds of abnormal weight status.
- The association between infrequent vigorous physical activity and higher odds of obesity is consistent for both boys and girls.

## Abstract

To explore the association between VPA and weight status in adolescents.

The 2017/2018 Health Behavior in School-aged Children survey (HBSC) targeted children and adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15. A systematic multistage stratified cluster randomized sampling method was used in each participating country. The 2017/2018 survey enrolled over 240,951 adolescents across 45 countries and regions. Frequency of VPA, weight status and confounding factors were collected using a self-reported questionnaire.

Compared to daily VPA, less frequent VPA was linked to higher odds of obesity. For example, those who participating in VPA for 4–6 times a week (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.06–1.13), 2–3 times a week (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.17–1.25), or once a week (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.16–1.25) all have higher odds of abnormal weight status. For boys, the frequency of 4–6 times a week (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.04–1.13), 2–3 times a week (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.17–1.27), or once a week (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.19–1.32) were associated with higher odds of abnormal weight status. For girls, those who participating in VPA 4–6 times a week (OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.06–1.16), 2–3 times a week (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.14–1.25), or once a week (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.11–1.23) all have higher odds of abnormal weight status (i.e., overweight or obesity).

This population-based study suggests that infrequent VPA participation is associated with unhealthy weight status in adolescents compared to their physically active counterparts. Additionally, this association remains consistent in both boys and girls.