Patterns and correlates of physical activity in adolescents in Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Why the submission is appropriate for publication in Public Health?
- Physical activity is a key health predictor, but little is known about participation by adolescents in developing countries.What is known about the topic discussed?
- Physical activity is low in Asian adolescents; and associated with sociodemographic, individual and environment factors.What your study add?
- 34% of adolescents in Dhaka are insufficiently active; this is higher for girls, low maternal SES, and not walking to school.

ObjectivesDespite the widely acknowledged public health importance of physical activity (PA), few studies have examined levels of PA in Bangladesh. The purpose of this study was to investigate the patterns and correlates of PA in adolescents in Bangladesh.Study designCross-sectional survey.MethodsA total of 798 students, aged 13-17 years; 48% girls, from eight purposively selected secondary schools in Dhaka city, Bangladesh completed a self-administered questionnaire including the 3-Day PA Recall. Parents completed a separate questionnaire to provide household/family-level data. Multilevel generalized linear modelling was used to identify the correlates of PA for boys and girls.ResultsTwo-thirds (66%) of the adolescents met the recommendations of 60 min/day of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) daily, with more boys than girls (76% and 55%, respectively). The most common activities reported were walking for travel (42%), cricket (33%) and household chores (30%). Multivariable modelling showed that girls' PA was positively associated with mother's education level, walking to school, involvement in school sports and having home sports equipment. Boys' PA was positively associated with mother's employment, having home sports equipment, having a playground at school and walking to school.ConclusionsOne third of adolescents in Bangladesh were insufficiently active with girls less active than boys. Walking to school and access to sports facilities including playgrounds and home equipment may be important to promote activity among Bangladeshi adolescents, with special attention to the girls.