Sedentary behavior during school recess and association with sociodemographic factors - doi: 10.4025/reveducfis.v21i2.8321

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of sedentary behavior during school recess and associated sociodemographic factors among elementary, middle and high school students from public schools in Aracaju, Sergipe. Sociodemographic data and information regarding physical activity (PA) during recess were collected using questionnaires in 973 students. The students were classified as “sedentary” and “active” according to their pattern of PA during recess. The sample showed that most students were girls (56.9%), of medium economic level (59.9%), were enrolled in elementary/middle schools (50.1%), and presented a sedentary behavior during recess (58.2%). The groups that presented higher chance of sedentary behavior during recess were girls (PR:1.37; 95%CI:1.16-1.63) and high school students (PR:1.40; 95%CI:1.18-1.65). More than half of the sample was sedentary during recess and female and high school students were the groups presenting a higher chance of this behavior, independent of socioeconomic level and health risk factors.