Factors associated to physical inactivity in Colombian adolescents: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors for chronic diseases. This situation in adolescents and young people has become a priority issue in global public health. Objective: To study the association of physical inactivity with lifestyle, demographic factors, sedentary activities, overweight and obesity in school adolescents in Sabaneta, 2017. Methodology: Cross-sectional study, conducted in 7 educational institutions with a random probability sample of 246 students. The Perez Rojas Garcia test was used to assess physical inactivity. A generalized linear model of binomial family and logit link was estimated to estimate the crude and adjusted OR for the association between the variables of interest and physical inactivity. These were accompanied by 95% confidence intervals. Results: The prevalence of physical inactivity was 62.6%. The odds of physical inactivity were higher among females, overweight and obese individuals, students with alcohol or caffeine consumption, and students who used computers or studied more than 6 hours per day. The odds of physical inactivity were reduced in students of lower class, thin, with psychoactive consumption, and reading more than 6 hours per day. Conclusions: The prevalence of physical inactivity, overweight and obesity among adolescents was high. The associated factors are mostly modifiable and represent an opportunity for improvement.