Cent Eur J Public Health 2015, 23(Supplement):S30-S36 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4177

Age and Gender Differences in Prevalence of Screen Based Behaviour, Physical Activity and Health Complaints among Slovak School-aged Children

Daniela Hus�rov�1, Zuzana Dankulincov� Veselsk�1, Dagmar Sigmundov�2, Andrea Madarasov� Geckov�1,3
1 Department of Health Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, P. J. �af�rik University in Ko�ice, Ko�ice, Slovak Republic
2 Centre for Kinanthropology Research, Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palack� University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
3 Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Palack� University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess age and gender differences in prevalence of screen based behaviour, physical activity and health complaints among Slovak school-aged children.

Methods: Data from the cross-sectional Health Behaviour of School-aged Children study collected in 2010 among Slovak children (age 11-15 years, N=8,042) was used. Logistic regression models adjusted to age and gender were used to analyse the associations between watching TV, working with a computer or playing computer games and physical activity and headache, backache, sleep difficulties, feeling low, irritability, and feeling nervous.

Results: Around one-quarter of adolescents is spending more than three hours a day with screen-based activities. While the age was significantly associated with watching TV and computer use, gender was significantly associated only with excessive computer use. As for physical activity, only 25% of adolescents reported being physically active every day as recommended, and this number decreases with increasing age. Boys used to be more often active in comparison with girls. A sizeable number of adolescents suffer with selected health complaints every week. Moreover, the prevalence of health complaints increases with age and is significantly higher among girls.

Conclusions: The prevalence of screen-based activities as well as insufficient physical activity and health complaints among adolescents is relatively high and it increases with age. Gender differences are also significant, except for watching TV.

Keywords: watching TV, computer use, psychological complaints, physical complaints, adolescence

Received: November 12, 2014; Revised: April 24, 2015; Accepted: April 24, 2015; Published: November 1, 2015  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Hus�rov� D, Dankulincov� Veselsk� Z, Sigmundov� D, Madarasov� Geckov� A. Age and Gender Differences in Prevalence of Screen Based Behaviour, Physical Activity and Health Complaints among Slovak School-aged Children. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2015;23(Supplement):S30-36. doi:�10.21101/cejph.a4177. PubMed PMID:�26849541.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Iannotti RJ, Kogan MD, Janssen I, Boyce WF. Patterns of adolescent physical activity, screen-based media use, and positive and negative health indicators in the U.S. and Canada. JAdolesc Health. 2009 May;44(5):4939. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    2. Smith L, Louw Q, Crous L, Grimmer-Somers K. Prevalence of neck pain and headaches: impact of computer use and other associative factors. Cephalalgia. 2009 Feb;29(2):250-7. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    3. Torsheim T, Eriksson L, Schnohr CW, Hansen F, Bjarnason T, V�limaa R. Screen-based activities and physical complaints among adolescents from the Nordic countries. BMC Public Health. 2010 Jun 9;10:324. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-324. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    4. Costigan SA, Barnett L, Plotnikoff RC, Lubans DR. The health indicators associated with screen-based sedentary behavior among adolescent girls: a systematic review. J Adolesc Health. 2013 Apr;52(4):382-92. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    5. Currie C, Zanotti C, Morgan A, Currie D, de Looze M, Roberts CH, et al., editors. Social determinants of health and well-being among young people. Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study: international report from the 2009/10 survey. Health Policy for Children andAdolescents, No. 6. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 2012.
    6. Biddle SJ, Gorely T, Marshall SJ, Cameron N. The prevalence of sedentary behavior and physical activity in leisure time: a study of Scottish adolescents using ecological momentary assessment. Prev Med. 2009 Feb;48(2):151-5. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    7. Gal�n I, Boix R, Medrano MJ, Ramos P, Rivera F, Pastor-Barriuso R, et al. Physical activity and self-reported health status among adolescents: a cross-sectional population-based study. BMJ Open. 2013 May 14;3(5). pii: e002644. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002644. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    8. Dumith SC, Gigante DP, Domingues MR, Kohl HW 3rd. Physical activity change during adolescence: a systematic review and a pooled analysis. Int J Epidemiol. 2011 Jun;40(3):685-98. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    9. Hallal PC, Andersen LB, Bull FC, Guthold R, Haskell W, Ekelund U; Lancet PhysicalActivity Series Working Group. Global physical activity levels: surveillance progress, pitfalls, and prospects. Lancet. 2012 Jul 21;380(9838):247-57. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    10. Lazzeri G, Azzolini E, Pammolli A, De Wet DR, Giacchi MV. Correlation between physical activity and sedentary behavior with healthy and unhealthy behaviors in Italy and Tuscan region: a cross sectional study. J Prev Med Hyg. 2013 Mar;54(1):41-8. Go to PubMed...
    11. Iannotti RJ, Janssen I, Haug E, Kololo H, Annaheim B, Borraccino A; HBSC Physical Activity Focus Group. Interrelationships of adolescent physical activity, screen-based sedentary behaviour, and social and psychological health. Int J Public Health. 2009 Sep;54(Suppl 2):191-8. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    12. Pate RR, Stevens J, Webber LS, Dowda M, Murray DM, Young DR, et al. Age-related change in physical activity in adolescent girls. J Adolesc Health. 2009 Mar;44(3):275-82. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    13. Paananen MV, Auvinen JP, Taimela SP, Tammelin TH, Kantomaa MT, Ebeling HE, et al. Psychosocial, mechanical, and metabolic factors in adolescents' musculoskeletal pain in multiple locations: a cross-sectional study. Eur J Pain. 2010 Apr;14(4):395-401. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    14. Nader PR, Bradley RH, Houts RM, McRitchie SL, O'Brien M. Moderateto-vigorous physical activity from ages 9 to 15 years. JAMA. 2008 Jul 16;300(3):295-305. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    15. Ravens-Sieberer U, Torsheim T, Hetland J, Vollebergh W, Cavallo F, Jericek H, et al.; HBSC Positive Health Focus Group. Subjective health, symptom load and quality of life of children and adolescents in Europe. Int J Public Health. 2009 Sep;54(Suppl 2):151-9. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    16. Petersen S, H�ggl�f BL, Bergstr�m EI. Impaired health-related quality of life in children with recurrent pain. Pediatrics. 2009 Oct;124(4):e759-67. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    17. Haraldstad K, Sørum R, Eide H, Natvig GK, Helseth S. Pain in children and adolescents: prevalence, impact on daily life, and parents' perception, a school survey. Scand J Caring Sci. 2011 Mar;25(1):27-36. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    18. Yang F, HelgasonAR, Sigfusdottir ID, KristjanssonAL. Electronic screen use and mental well-being of 10-12-year-old children. Eur J Public Health. 2013 Jun;23(3):492-8. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    19. Finne E, Bucksch J, LampertT, Kolip P. Physical activity and screen-based media use: cross-sectional associations with health-related quality of life and the role of body satisfaction in a representative sample of German adolescents. Health Psychol Behav Med. 2013 Jan 1;1(1):15-30. Go to original source...
    20. Guinhouya BC, Samouda H, de Beaufort C. Level of physical activity among children and adolescents in Europe: a review of physical activity assessed objectively by accelerometry. Public Health. 2013 Apr;127(4):301-11. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    21. Sigmundov� D, Sigmund E, Hamrik Z, Kalman M. Trends of overweight and obesity, physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Czech schoolchildren: HBSC study. Eur J Public Health. 2014 Apr;24(2):210-5. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    22. Hamar P, Biddle S, So�s I, Tak�cs B, Husz�r A. The prevalence of sedentary behaviours and physical activity in Hungarian youth. Eur J Public Health. 2010 Feb;20(1):85-90. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    23. Livingstone S, Haddon L. EU Kids Online: final report. London: EU Kids Online; 2009. Go to original source...
    24. Petronyte G, ZaborskisA. The influence of individual and regional factors on association between leisure time physical activity and psychological complaints among adolescents in Europe. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2009 Dec;17(4):215-9. Go to original source...
    25. World Health Organization. Global recommendations on physical activity for health. Geneva: WHO; 2010.
    26. Biddle SJ, Gorely T, Pearson N, Bull FC.An assessment of self-reported physical activity instruments in young people for population surveillance: Project ALPHA. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011 Jan 2;8:1. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-8-1. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    27. Liu Y, Wang M, Tynj�l� J, Lv Y, Villberg J, Zhang Z, et al. Test-retest reliability of selected items of Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey questionnaire in Beijing, China. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2010 Aug 10;10:73. doi: 10.1186/1471-2288-10-73. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    28. Ridgers ND, Timperio A, Crawford D, Salmon J. Validity of a brief self-report instrument for assessing compliance with physical activity guidelines amongst adolescents. J Sci Med Sport. 2012 Mar;15(2):136-41. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    29. American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Public Education. Children, adolescents, and television. Pediatrics. 2001;107(2):423-6. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    30. Currie C, Griebler R, Inchley J, Theunissen A, Molcho M, Samdal O, et al., editors. Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study protocol: background, methodology and mandatory items for the 2009/10 survey. Vienna & Edinburgh: CAHRU & LBIHPR; 2010.
    31. Petanidou D, Giannakopoulos G, Tzavara C, Dimitrakaki C, Kolaitis G, TountasY.Adolescents' multiple, recurrent subjective health complaints: investigating associations with emotional/behavioural difficulties in a cross-sectional, school-based study. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2014 Jan 24;8(1):3. doi: 10.1186/1753-2000-8-3. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    32. Nuutinen T, Roos E, Ray C, Villberg J, V�limaa R, Rasmussen M, et al. Computer use, sleep duration and health symptoms: a cross-sectional study of 15-year olds in three countries. Int J Public Health. 2014 Aug;59(4):619-28. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    33. Brindova D, Veselska ZD, Klein D, Hamrik Z, Sigmundova D, van Dijk JP, et al. Is the association between screen-based behaviour and health complaints among adolescents moderated by physical activity? Int J Public Health. 2015 Feb;60(2):139-45. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    34. De Moor MH, Boomsma DI, Stubbe JH,Willemsen G, de Geus EJ.Testing causality in the association between regular exercise and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008 Aug;65(8):897-905. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    35. Wiklund M, Malmgren-Olsson EB, Ohman A, Bergstr�m E, FjellmanWiklundA. Subjective health complaints in older adolescents are related to perceived stress, anxiety and gender - a cross-sectional school study in Northern Sweden. BMC Public Health. 2012 Nov 16;12:993. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-993. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    36. de Moraes AC, Guerra PH, Menezes PR. The worldwide prevalence of insufficient physical activity in adolescents; a systematic review. Nutr Hosp. 2013 May-Jun;28(3):575-84. Go to PubMed...
    37. Melkevik O, Torsheim T, Iannotti RJ, Wold B. Is spending time in screenbased sedentary behaviors associated with less physical activity: a cross national investigation. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2010 May 21;7:46. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-7-46. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    38. MarquesA, da Costa FC. Levels of physical activity of urban adolescents according to age and gender. Int J Sports Sci. 2013;3(1):23-7.
    39. Lang C, Brand S, Feldmeth AK, Holsboer-Trachsler E, P�hse U, Gerber M. Increased self-reported and objectively assessed physical activity predict sleep quality among adolescents. Physiol Behav. 2013 Aug 15;120:46-53. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    40. Kopcakova J, Dankulincova Veselska Z, Madarasova Geckova A, van Dijk JP, Reijneveld SA. Is being a boy and feeling fat a barrier for physical activity? The association between body image, gender and physical activity among adolescents. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2014 Oct 27;11(11):11167-76. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    41. Olds T, Wake M, Patton G, Ridley K, Waters E, Williams J, et al. How do school-day activity patterns differ with age and gender across adolescence? J Adolesc Health. 2009 Jan;44(1):64-72. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    42. Bobakova D, Hamrik Z, Badura P, Sigmundova D, Nalecz H, Kalman M. Test-retest reliability of selected physical activity and sedentary behaviour HBSC items in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland. Int J Public Health. 2015 Jan;60(1):59-67. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    43. Corder K, van Sluijs EM, WrightA, Whincup P, Wareham NJ, Ekelund U. Is it possible to assess free-living physical activity and energy expenditure in young people by self-report?Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Mar;89(3):862-70. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    44. Slootmaker SM, Schuit AJ, Chinapaw MJ, Seidell JC, van Mechelen W. Disagreement in physical activity assessed by accelerometer and selfreport in subgroups of age, gender, education and weight status. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2009 Mar 25;6:17. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-6-17. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    45. Baquet G, Stratton G,Van Praagh E, Berthoin S. Improving physical activity assessment in prepubertal children with high-frequency accelerometry monitoring: a methodological issue. Prev Med. 2007 Feb;44(2):143-7. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    46. Nilsson A, Ekelund U, Yngve A, Sj�str�m M. Assessing physical activity among children with accelerometers using different time sampling intervals and placements. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2002;14(1):87-96. Go to original source...

    Return to the content