Public Health Nutrition Research Consultant, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Front Public Health. 2022 Mar 8;10:731326. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.731326. eCollection 2022.
Studies indicate that children and adolescent populations in most countries show a low level of physical activity (PA) and an increasing prevalence of obesity. Addressing gender disparity in PA is the main element of public health programs. There is currently a paucity of studies, particularly, in developing countries that investigate gender differences and correlates of PA among children and adolescents.
The study is aimed to assess the gender difference and correlates of PA among children and adolescents in Ethiopia.
An observational population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in representative samples of children and adolescents in the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. Multivariable logistic regression models with robust estimation of SEs were fitted to predict the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs.
A total of 632 children and adolescents-parent dyads were included in the study. More boys than girls (17.0 and 11.7%) were engaged in moderate intensity PA 3 days a week or more ( = 0.057). Age, mothers working in a private business, attending public schools, longer sleep duration, and being taught the benefits of PA were positively associated with meeting moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) in both sexes combined and in a sub-sample of boys. Furthermore, an inverse association was found between overweight/obesity and MVPA in the overall children and girls as well. For moderate PA (MPA); the age of the children, maternal education and occupation, school type, overweight/obesity, and sleep duration on school nights were significant correlates among the studied children.
The present study provided evidence of several correlates identified associated with meeting MVPA and MPA in both sexes combined. Girls are less likely than boys to engage in PA. Therefore, there is a need to take into perspectives the provision of a comprehensive multifaceted health behavior modification and interventions, such as focused and regular physical education in schools.
研究表明，大多数国家的儿童和青少年人群体力活动水平较低，肥胖率呈上升趋势。解决体力活动方面的性别差异是公共卫生计划的主要内容。目前，特别是在发展中国家，很少有研究调查儿童和青少年体力活动的性别差异及其相关因素。
本研究旨在评估埃塞俄比亚儿童和青少年体力活动的性别差异及其相关因素。
在埃塞俄比亚首都亚的斯亚贝巴，对代表性的儿童和青少年样本进行了一项基于观察的人群横断面研究。采用稳健估计 SE 的多变量逻辑回归模型来预测比值比 (OR) 和 95%置信区间。
共有 632 对儿童和青少年-家长被纳入研究。与女孩（11.7%）相比，更多男孩（17.0%）每周进行 3 天或更多天的中等强度体力活动（ = 0.057）。年龄、母亲在私营企业工作、上公立学校、睡眠时间较长以及被教授体力活动的好处，与两性结合以及男孩亚组达到中等到剧烈体力活动（MVPA）均呈正相关。此外，超重/肥胖与整体儿童和女孩的 MVPA 呈负相关。对于中等强度体力活动（MPA），儿童年龄、母亲教育和职业、学校类型、超重/肥胖以及上学日晚上的睡眠时间是研究中儿童的显著相关因素。
本研究提供了一些证据，证明了与两性结合达到 MVPA 和 MPA 相关的几个因素。女孩参与体力活动的可能性低于男孩。因此，有必要从提供全面、多方面的健康行为改变和干预的角度出发，例如在学校有针对性和定期进行体育教育。
