Decline in Physical Activity Among Iranian Girl Students Aged 10 to 16 and the Related Factors

Physical activity provides extensive health benefits during adolescence; however, many adolescents do not achieve the recommended level of regular physical activity (RPA). The age-related declin in regular physical activity throughout adolescence has been documented in some studies in western countries but by our search, there has been no study in eastern countries.
The aim of this study was to determine the decline in RPA among Iranian girl students aged 10 to 16 and the related factors.
This cross-sectional study included 1164 students who were selected via multi-stage random sampling in Hamadan, Iran, in 2015. They filled out a self-administered questionnaire. A number of 105 students out of the above-mentioned sample were selected randomly for using pedometers. The questionnaire included demographic variables, physical activity questionnaires (PAQs), questions on height and weight measurements. Join Point regression, t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression were used to obtain PA decline age, associations, and odds ratio.
The results showed that about 83% of the students did not engage in 60 minutes moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day. In addition, 46% of the students watched TV more than 2 hours/day. There was a significant association (P This report showed RPA declined by age during adolescence in girl students. Motivating students toward RPA and providing facilities to do RPA can prevent this problem.