EXAMINING THE AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SEDENTARY BEHAVIOR AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN AL-JAHRA CITY, KUWAIT

Abstract

Being active has been shown to improve physical ability and health. Greater health benefits accompany physical activity (PA), and being active has been proven to help address many diseases that adolescents face as they grow and develop (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2008). The purpose of this study was to examine the physical activity and sedentary behavior levels of the adolescents in Al-Jahra City, Kuwait. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between gender, physical activity, sedentary behaviors, and BMI using particular conceptual frameworks, as well as brought attention to certain behaviors based on Theory of Planned Behavior (Fishbein & Azjen, 1975). A 20-item International Physical Activity Questionnaire Questionnaires (IPAQ-S) and National Youth Risk Behavior Questionnaires (NYRB-S) questionnaires was used to identify Kuwaiti's adolescents physical activity and sedentary behavior levels. The sample consisted of 682 participants (89 control group and 593 experimental group) , in 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, in the age range from 15 to 19 years, from 8 high schools in Al-Jahra City, Kuwait. The total number of participants was 1,145 high school students divided into two groups; the control group there was 165 students and the experimental group there was 980 students.

Results indicated that for both genders, more than 50% had a low level of physical activity and males tended to have higher levels of activity than females. In addition, the study found that the time spent daily for both genders in sedentary behaviors was greater than 7.6 hours, and more than 60% of the adolescents were sedentary for more than 4 hours a day. Moreover, the study showed sedentary behavior, time spent watching television, and time spent on the computer, were not significantly related to BMI in males or females, but this should be studied further. This research was framed within the context of the Theory of Planned Behavior in order to elaborate on the relationship between survey responses for the last seven days and the plans for following seven days. The results indicated only one significant variance between the control group and the experimental group. There was a substantial difference on only one of the ten questionnaires questions: the question that concerned plans for attending physical education classes. This could be due to the limited spaces of practicing or engaging in physical activity in Al-Jahra City (Al-Kandari, 2006). Therefore, adolescents' need for physical activity during their free time has been particularly important in Kuwait. There have been many changes in the culture and social life, some of which led to the sedentary lifestyle of Kuwaiti adolescents.