Accelerometer-measured sleep behaviour and parent-child sleep guideline adherence and sleep quality in Czech families with children aged 3-8 years: the FAMIly Physical Activity, Sedentary behaviour and Sleep (FAMIPASS) study.

Assessing parent-child relationship in sleep behaviours is important for facilitating changes in the sleep guideline compliance in preschool age children. The aim of this study was to examine accelerometer-measured sleep quantity and quality in families with children aged 3-8 years and investigate the parents' influence on the child's sleep. The data were obtained from the Czech cross-sectional FAMIly Physical Activity, Sedentary behaviour and Sleep (FAMIPASS) study, with a final sample of 374 families. Families were recruited through the enrolment of their children in kindergartens/primary schools between March 2022 and May 2023. The sleep time window and total sleep time were assessed using a wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer. Participants wore this device continuously for 24 h/day over a period of 7 consecutive days. Demographic data and potential correlates were obtained via questionnaires completed by parents. Statistical analyses were completed using logistic regression and independent-samples Mann-Whitney U test. In all, 65.5% of children (60% boys, 70.9% girls) and 58.3% of parents (52.4% fathers, 64.3% mothers) achieved the recommended sleep duration. Greater sleep quantity and duration in good-quality sleep were significantly higher in girls/mothers, compared to boys/fathers. Preschoolers were more likely to comply with sleep guidelines if their mother (but not father) met the sleep recommendation and their mothers did not have a higher education level. Adhering to sleep guidelines in children was also associated with children's female gender, absence of screen device in the bedroom, and being more active. Given the high concurrence in mother-child sleep quantity, it is important to promote healthy sleep behaviours in the whole family.

Changes in the prevalence of obesity in Czech adolescents between 2018 and 2022 and its current non-genetic correlates - HBSC study.

BACKGROUND: The main aim of the study is to examine changes in the prevalence of obesity in Czech adolescents between 2018 and 2022 and its current non-genetic correlates with respect to the adolescents' families'socioeconomic status (SES) in 2022. METHODS: The sample of 24,535 adolescents (n = 11,629/12,9062018/2022; boys: 50.4/50.6%2018/2022) aged 10.5-16.5 years that was analysed was drawn from two nationally representative cohorts of Czech youngsters from the last two cycles of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) online questionnaire survey from 2018 to 2022. Obesity is represented by the > 97th percentile interval on the World Health Organization Body Mass Index percentile chart, with distinctions by sex and the age of adolescents. The differences in the prevalence of obesity between boys and girls from all SES family categories in 2018 and 2022 were tested using a chi-square test (χ2). Multiple logistic regression analysis with repeated measures was used to analyse correlates of obesity in 2022. RESULTS: Between 2018 and 2022, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of obesity in girls or boys in any of the SES categories of families. Adolescents from low-SES families have the highest prevalence of obesity, 11% for boys and 5.8% for girls, significantly higher (p < .001) than its prevalence among adolescents from high-SES families, by + 4.8% points for boys and + 3.9% points for girls. Among adolescents from low-SES families, individuals who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) daily (p < .005) or vigorous PA three times per week (p < .05) were significantly less likely to be obese than their less active peers. Skipping breakfast significantly (p < .05) increased the odds of obesity, but only among adolescents from low-SES families. Shorter screen time (ST) significantly (p < .05) reduced the odds of obesity for all categories of adolescent SES. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is most pronounced in adolescents from low-SES families as a result of a long-term positive energy balance mediated by unbalanced behaviour. Significantly lower odds of obesity in adolescents from low-SES families were confirmed to be associated with regular practice of the recommended PA, shorter ST, and not skipping breakfast.

The Czech Republic's 2022 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth: A rationale and comprehensive analysis.

Background/Objective: The second edition of the Czech Republic's Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth was released in 2022. This paper describes the development of the Report Card and presents a comprehensive summary of the main findings. Methods: The multi-level search strategy was developed by the national expert panel to identify the available sources that provide data related to the physical activity of Czech children and adolescents. The data were used to assign grades to ten core and two additional indicators. Results: A total of 28 sources provided data that allowed grades to be assigned to 11 out of the 12 indicators. Grade B was assigned to six indicators (School: B+, Community and Environment: B, Organized Sport and Physical Activity: B-, Active Transportation: B-, Family and Peers: B-, Sleep: B-), grade C to three indicators (Overall Physical Activity: C+, Active Play: C, Physical Literacy: C), and grade D to two indicators (Government: D+, Sedentary Behaviors: D). No grade for the "Physical Fitness" indicator could be assigned due to a lack of data collected in the reference period 2018-2019. Conclusions: Although the family, school, and built environment provided a variety of opportunities to be physically active, a high proportion of children and adolescents did not meet the current physical activity guideline and were exposed to excessive sedentary behavior. A multisectoral and multidisciplinary response is required to reduce the health and economic burden of physical inactivity and excessive sedentary behavior among Czech children and adolescents.

Time-trends and correlates of obesity in Czech adolescents in relation to family socioeconomic status over a 16-year study period (2002-2018).

BACKGROUND: The main objective of the study is to analyse the changes in the prevalence of obesity among Czech adolescents between 2002 and 2018 with regard to the socioeconomic status (SES) of adolescents' families and to find SES-separated correlates of adolescents' obesity in 2018. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of 29,879 adolescents (49.6% of them boys) aged 10.5-16.5 years was drawn from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children cross-sectional, self-reported questionnaire surveys conducted in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018 in Czechia. Chi-square (χ2) tests were performed to assess the changes in the prevalence of obesity in both genders and all SES categories of adolescents between 2002 and 2018, and SES category-related differences in the prevalence of obesity in 2018 separately for boys and girls. A series of multiple stepwise logistic regression (backward elimination) analyses were used to reveal obesity correlates separately for SES categories of adolescents. RESULTS: Across the quadrennial surveys from 2002 to 2018, we observed a clear increase in the prevalence of obesity in all SES categories of adolescents, which was most striking (p < 0.05) in adolescents with low SES (boys: + 7.5% points (p.p.); girls + 2.4 p.p.). When all the survey cycles were compared, the highest prevalence of obesity was evident in the low-SES adolescents in 2018, both in girls (5.1%) and boys (12.0%). Regardless of the adolescent SES category, the lower odds of obesity were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with regular vigorous physical activity (PA), participation in organized sport, and daily consumption of sweets. In addition, at least 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous PA significantly reduced the odds of obesity in adolescents of low and high SES categories. CONCLUSIONS: An unreasonable increase in the prevalence of obesity in adolescents with low SES highlights the need to prevent obesity in adolescents with a low-SES background. Additionally, significantly higher odds of obesity in 11- and 13-year-old adolescents from low-SES families, compared with their peers aged 15, indicated an expectable rise in obesity in older low-SES adolescents in the near future.

Trends and correlates of overweight/obesity in Czech adolescents in relation to family socioeconomic status over a 12-year study period (2002-2014).

BACKGROUND: This study examined a) trends in overweight/obesity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and screen time (ST) among Czech adolescents over a 12-year study period (2002-2014) in relation to family affluence (FA) and b) correlates of adolescent overweight/obesity from different FA categories. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of 18,250 adolescents (51.4% girls) aged 10.5-16.5 years was drawn from the Czech Health Behaviour in School-aged Children questionnaire-based surveys in 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. Using the FA scale, the socioeconomic status (SES) of the respondents' families was assessed. SES-stratified trends in the prevalence of overweight/obesity meeting the MVPA (≥60 min/day), and ST (≤2 h/day) recommendations were assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: A trend-related significant increase (p < 0.05) in the prevalence of overweight/obesity was observed in low-/medium-FA boys and medium-/high-FA girls. Unlike in high-FA adolescents, a significant decrease was revealed in the rates of meeting the MVPA recommendation in low-FA boys (28.9%2002 → 23.3%2014, OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.59-0.95, p < 0.05) and girls (22.3%2002 → 17.3%2014, OR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.57-0.92, p < 0.01). A significant (p < 0.001) trend-related increase in excessive ST was evident in adolescents regardless of gender and FA category. Generally, girls and older adolescents had lower odds of overweight/obesity than boys and 11-year-old adolescents. While in the high-FA category of adolescents, achieving 60 min of MVPA daily and the absence of excessive ST on weekdays significantly (p < 0.01) reduced their odds of being overweight/obese, in low-FA adolescents this was not the case. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of overweight/obesity and a poor level of daily MVPA among low-FA children provide disturbing evidence highlighting the necessity of public health efforts to implement obesity reduction interventions for this disadvantaged population.

Do family environment factors play a role in adolescents' involvement in organized activities?

The study assessed the association of family environment factors with adolescents' participation in organized leisure-time activities (OLTA). We used data on 10,472 Czech adolescents aged 11-15 years (49.2% boys) from the 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. The associations of family support, the presence of parental screen-time rules and joint family activities with participation in at least one OLTA were assessed using logistic regression. High family support and the presence of parental screen-time rules were associated with higher odds of OLTA participation. Moreover, adolescents playing sports, indoor games and going for walks with their families at least weekly were more likely to participate in OLTA. Conversely, those spending time in joint family TV/video watching on most days were less likely to do so. A supportive family environment and direct parental involvement in their adolescent children's leisure are associated with OLTA participation in early to middle adolescence.

National Time Trends in Bullying among Adolescents in the Czech Republic from 1994 to 2014.

OBJECTIVE: Bullying in school is a public health concern which continues to be a serious threat to physical and emotional health of children and adolescents. The purpose of this study is to examine trends in bullying behaviour among school-aged children in the Czech Republic. METHODS: Data were obtained from cross-sectional self-report surveys in the years 1994-2014 as a part of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (HBSC) from a representative sample of 11-, 13-, and 15-year olds. RESULTS: The highest proportion of children who bullied others (20-47%) occurred during the years 1994 and 1998. The logistic regression models showed significant decreasing trends in bullying others and also in being bullied, regardless of age and gender. CONCLUSION: The decreasing trend in bullying may be the consequence of a preventive policy in the Czech Republic, but also a change in the understanding of the concept of bullying in society.

Trends in Sexual Behaviour in Czech Schoolchildren between 2002-2014.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report on trends in the prevalence in age at first intercourse of Czech schoolchildren and a difference between sexes. METHODS: Prevalence in age at first intercourse of Czech schoolchildren was observed under the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study in the years 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014. In addition, a random representative sample of children attending 9th grade completed the questions related to sexual behaviour. A total of 4,804 boys and girls at the age of 15 years were included in the study. The chi-square test and analysis of variance were used for data assessment. RESULTS: Experience with first sexual intercourse before 15 years was confirmed by 16% of boys and 19.4% of girls. Average age of coitarche in both sexes most often ranged between 14 and 15 years. Since 2006 boys had significantly lower age at coitarche. Only in 2010 the girls had first intercourse more frequently than boys. Since 2010 the number of Czech adolescents of both sexes having first intercourse before the age of 15 years has significantly increased. However, a rise in average age of coitarche over 15 years in both sexes occurred in 2014. CONCLUSIONS: The number of Czech children having a sexual intercourse before 15 years has significantly increased since 2010.

Methodological Aspects of Trend Studies and Development of the HBSC Study in the Czech Republic.

The aim of the study is to present the theoretical background of trend studies in general, to characterize the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study and to describe its methodology and changes of the Czech HBSC study between 1994 and 2014. The first part describes various types of trend research studies including their advantages and disadvantages. The second part summarizes the history of the HBSC study in an international context and particularly in the Czech Republic. The final part presents the basic methodological data from six surveys conducted in the Czech Republic between 1994 and 2014.

Trends in Overweight and Obesity in Czech Schoolchildren from 1998 to 2014.

OBJECTIVE: Overweight and obesity in adolescents is associated with many health risks and considerable direct and indirect healthcare costs. The purpose of this study is to examine trends in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in 11-, 13- and 15-year-old adolescents in the Czech Republic from 1998 to 2014. METHODS: Data from five self-reported survey rounds (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014) of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study (HBSC) were used to assess trends in overweight and obesity among Czech adolescents. The total sample consisted of 19,103 adolescents (51.2% girls). A logistic regression analysis was used to assess trends in different age and gender categories. RESULTS: From 1998 to 2014 a significant increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed among boys in all age categories (11 years old 22.2%1998- 28.3%2014; 13 years old 17.9%1998- 26.7%2014; 15 years old 9.8%1998- 20.8%2014) and among 15-year-old girls (6.0%1998- 10.9%2014). None of the age and gender categories showed an overall decrease over the 16-year period. In boys, the prevalence of overweight was significantly higher with steeper negative trends compared with girls. However, stabilization in overweight rates was observed between 2010 and 2014 in all age and gender groups. CONCLUSION: Nationally representative self-reported data show a significant increase in overweight (including obesity) prevalence among children from 1998 to 2014 in the Czech Republic. The results also suggest stabilization in overweight prevalence between 2010 and 2014. Continuing research is needed to determine future trends while interventions aimed at reducing overweight and obesity in children should be implemented on different levels of public policy.

Trends in Life Satisfaction and Self-rated Health in Czech School-aged Children: HBSC Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to examine cross-sectional time trends of life satisfaction and self-rated health in a representative sample of Czech children aged 11, 13 and 15 years using the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study data from the Czech Republic. METHODS: Data from survey years 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 was used. The sample consisted of 16,357 participants (48.5% of boys). Life satisfaction (LS) was measured by Cantril's ladder; self-rated health was measured through the simple item "Would you say your health is: excellent, good, fair, poor". RESULTS: Most of the children were satisfied with their lives in all surveyed years (mean LS scores range from 7.21 to 7.51; maximum 10). LS was consistently significantly associated (p<0.001) with age and gender. Overall, children and adolescents in the Czech Republic also reported good health. In total, 87.6% of respondents from all samples reported their health as excellent or good. Gender was found to be significantly associated with self-rated health (p<0.05) in all surveyed years. CONCLUSIONS: No permanent trends in both followed indicators have been seen in the examined period.

Trends in Screen Time Behaviours in Czech Schoolchildren between 2002 and 2014: HBSC Study.

OBJECTIVE: Screen-based behaviours such as watching television or computer use are among the most prevalent sedentary behaviours adolescents spend time on. There is a lack of recent estimates on prevalence and changes in the amount of time spent on screen-based behaviour across Central and Eastern Europe. The main aim is to assess the trends in the prevalence of current recommendations for the screen time (≤2 hours per day) of school-aged children in the Czech Republic between 2002 and 2014. METHODS: We used an internationally established methodology based on the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HSBC) study. Data was derived from Czech national representative samples of 11-, 13- and 15-year-olds collected in the years 2002 (N=4,065), 2006 (N=4,170), 2010 (N=3,962) and 2014 (N=4,338). RESULTS: The results indicated that the boys and girl surveyed in 2014 are up to two times more likely to meet the current recommendations for watching television in comparison with groups of schoolchildren of the same age surveyed in 2002. In contrast, computer use by adolescents increased markedly between 2006 and 2014. Taking total screen time into account, spending two hours per day or less on it decreased significantly among boys (OR=0.74, 95% CI=0.62-0.89) and girls (OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.70-0.92) between 2006 and 2014. CONCLUSIONS: As screen time is an important indicator of time spent in a sedentary way, our findings call for more interventions to reduce the time that school-aged children spend in front of screens.

Trends in Active Commuting to School among Czech Schoolchildren from 2006 to 2014.

OBJECTIVE: Active commuting (AC) is an important factor in increasing the total daily physical activity (PA) in children, which is significant for their health and positive physical behaviour in adulthood. The objective of the study was to describe trends in active commuting to school among Czech girls and boys aged 11-15 years from 2006 to 2014, using data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. METHODS: To investigate trends in AC among Czech children of school age data obtained from the HBSC surveys carried out in 2006, 2010, and 2014 was used. The study sample comprised 12,273 respondents, out of whom 5,992 (48.8%) were boys and 6,281 (51.2%) girls. The overall trends in AC were evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Compared with 2006, there was an overall decrease in AC among the 13-year-old boys and 13-year-old girls (boys - 1.8% in 2006 to 50.1% in 2014, girls - 69.3% in 2006 to 46.3% in 2014). The proportion of children AC (walking and cycling) to school significantly decreased from 74.3% in 2006 to 53.4% in 2014. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that AC to school decreased sharply among Czech children of school age from 2006 to 2014. However, walking was the most frequently used mode of travel. The boys were significantly more likely to cycle to school compared to the girls. PA interventions for youth should encourage participation in AC to school in the Czech Republic.

Trends in Children's Toothbrushing in the Czech Republic from 1994 to 2014: Results of the HBSC Study.

OBJECTIVE: Brushing one's teeth twice a day is the main self-care method to prevent the most prevalent non-communicable diseases. The aim of the study is to describe the trends in brushing teeth in 11-, 13-, and 15-year-old Czech children between 1994 and 2014. METHODS: One question about oral health from the HBSC study protocol was used in the six surveys (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014). Altogether, 21,170 answers from boys and girls were analyzed using statistical description and binominal logistic regression. RESULTS: The findings showed that the prevalence of brushing their teeth more than once a day increased throughout the twenty years, more so in boys, but a preventive programme is still needed to educate the 21-38% of those who brush their teeth less than twice a day. CONCLUSION: Although the recommended frequency of brushing their teeth has increased among Czech school-aged children, it still lags far behind the recommended twice-a-day regularity, especially among boys.

Trends in Medically Attended Injuries in Czech Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Due to the importance of surveillance of injuries and accidents in the Czech Republic, the purpose of this study was to report the temporal trends of injuries of Czech adolescents between 2002 and 2014. METHODS: Adolescents (N=20,038) from the Czech Republic, that took part in the 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 HBSC study, reported the frequency of medically attended injuries in the past 12 months. Repeated binary logistic regressions with different years as reference categories were performed. RESULTS: Less than half (44.7%) of all Czech adolescents reported they had experienced at least one medically attended injuries in the past 12 months, with boys experiencing more injuries than girls (p<0.001), and the injuries were more common in older adolescents. Fewer boys reported injury in 2014 when compared to 2002 (OR, CI: 0.81, 0.72-0.90), there was also a significant decrease in injuries among girls between 2014 and 2006 (OR, CI: 0.77, 0.69-0.86). CONCLUSIONS: The trend was not linear amongst boys. Along with improved safety promotion education, the rate of injuries decreased among adolescents between the years 2002 and 2014.

Physical Activity Among Adolescents With Long-Term Illnesses or Disabilities in 15 European Countries.

Physical activity (PA) is an important health-promoting behavior from which adolescents with long-term illnesses or disabilities (LTID) can benefit. It is important to monitor differences across countries in adherence with PA recommendations for health. The aim of this study was to compare PA levels among 15 European countries after disaggregating data by disability. Data from pupils (mean age = 13.6 years, SD = 1.64) participating in the 2013/2014 Health Behavior in School-aged Children study were analyzed to compare adolescents without LTID, with LTID, and with LTID that affects their participation (affected LTID). Logistic regression models adjusted for age and family affluence, stratified by gender and country group with PA recommendations for health as the outcome variable. With the data pooled, 15% (n = 9,372) of adolescents reported having LTID and 4% (n = 2,566) having affected LTID. Overall, fewer boys with LTID met PA recommendations for health than boys without LTID, although it was not statistically significant either at the national levels or for girls.

Time trends: a ten-year comparison (2005-2015) of pedometer-determined physical activity and obesity in Czech preschool children.

BACKGROUND: To explore the time trends (2005-2015) of pedometer-determined weekday and weekend physical activity (PA) and obesity prevalence in 4-7-year-old Czech preschool children and changes in proportion of kindergarten vs. leisure-time PA. METHODS: The study compared data of two cross-sectional cohorts of preschool children (2005: 92 boys and 84 girls; 2015: 105 boys and 87 girls) in the Czech Republic, using the same measurements and procedures in both cases. PA was monitored by the Yamax Digiwalker SW-200 pedometer for at least eight continuous hours a day over seven consecutive days. Body weight and height were measured using calibrated Tanita scales and anthropometry. The analysis of variance was conducted to examine the gender and cohort effect on step counts. The t-test was used to examine the difference in step counts in kindergarten (or leisure-time) between non-obese and obese children, and the chi-square test compared the prevalence of obesity between 2005 and 2015. RESULTS: The steps/day (mean ± standard deviation) of preschoolers was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 2015 (11,739 ± 4,229 steps/day) than in 2005 (10,922 ± 3,181 steps/day); and (p < 0.001) in boys (11,939 ± 3,855 steps/day) than in girls (10,668 ± 3,587 steps/day). In 2015, girls, but not boys, had a significantly (p < 0.01) greater step count on weekdays than in 2005, but not at weekends. A decline of leisure-time step counts on weekdays between 2005 and 2015 in girls (6,8652005 vs. 6,0592015, p < 0.01) and boys (7,8612005 vs. 6,4362015, p < 0.001) is compensated for by the increase of step counts in kindergarten (girls: 3,0582005 vs. 5,3302015, and boys: 4,0032005 vs. 5,9992015, p < 0.001). The prevalence of obesity was not significantly different either in 2005 or 2015 among preschool girls (7.14 % 2005 vs. 9.20 % 2015) or boys (6.52 % 2005 vs. 9.52 % 2015). CONCLUSION: The steps/day of preschoolers was higher in 2015 than in 2005; this higher level of PA was the result of increased PA in kindergartens over the last ten years, particularly among girls. Thus, the current PA program in kindergartens effectively compensates for the decline in PA in leisure-time of weekdays of non-obese and obese preschoolers compared to 2005 and 2015. Prevalence of obesity among Czech preschool children remains relatively stable between 2005 and 2015.

Weekday-weekend patterns of physical activity and screen time in parents and their pre-schoolers.

BACKGROUND: This study focuses on the comparison of weekday/weekend parent-child behavioural patterns (step count (SC) and screen time (ST)) and answers the question of whether achieving the recommendations for daily SC (10,000) in parents also helps their preschool children achieve the recommended daily SC (11,500). METHODS: The participants (278 parents aged 30-45 and their 194 children aged 4-7) were randomly recruited from 10 Czech public kindergartens. The participants recorded SC (pedometer Yamax Digiwalker SW-200) and ST duration (proxy-report) for seven consecutive days (≥8 h/day) during September-October 2014 and April-May 2015. Differences between weekdays/weekends SC or ST were tested using a paired t-test. The odds of achieving the recommended daily SC for children were estimated using general logistic regression separately for weekdays and weekends. RESULTS: Only the mothers were found to have a significantly lower SC at weekends than on weekdays. All of the participants showed significantly more ST at weekends than on weekdays (daughters: 78.6 vs. 45.7 min/day, p < 0.001; sons: 78.8 vs. 55.8 min/day; mothers: 93.0 vs. 68.3 min/day; and fathers: 116.6 vs. 87.5 min/day). Daughters and sons were significantly more likely to achieve daily SC recommendation if a) the SC on weekdays during the daily routine in kindergarten exceeded the median of kindergarten SC or b) at weekends if their mother (OR: 9.67, 95 % CI: 3.57-26.23) exceeded 10,000 steps a day. CONCLUSIONS: Especially at weekends, preschoolers have higher odds of meeting the recommended 11,500 steps per day when their mother reaches 10,000 steps per day and this is independent of the amount of parents' ST. Moreover, physical activity in kindergarten helps preschool children meet the 11,500 recommended steps per day on weekdays. Therefore, interventions to promote physical activity in preschoolers should focus on kindergartens and encourage involvement of their families.

When children play, they feel better: organized activity participation and health in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Participation in organized leisure-time activities (OLTA) has been linked to healthy youth development. This study aimed to assess whether participation in OLTA is associated with both physical and mental health in adolescents, and whether this association differs by pattern of activity participation, age and gender. METHODS: The present study was based on data from the 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study in the Czech Republic. This data concerned 10,503 adolescents (49.2 % boys) aged 11, 13 and 15. A cluster analysis was carried out to obtain patterns of activity participation and yielded five groups (all-rounders, artists, individual sports, team sports and inactive). The association between participation in types of OLTA and physical and mental health was analysed using logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender. We also assessed interactions between types of OLTA and gender and age. RESULTS: Participation in OLTA was associated with better self-rated health and higher life satisfaction regardless of gender or age. Participation in team or individual sports was associated with better general health and less frequent health complaints in boys, while participation in art activities was associated with lower occurrence of health complaints in girls and 11-year-olds. CONCLUSION: Participation in OLTA is associated with better physical and mental health in adolescents. The association varies by pattern of activity participation and is partly gender- and age-specific.

Secular trends in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in 32 countries from 2002 to 2010: a cross-national perspective.

BACKGROUND: Sufficient levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) give substantial health benefits to adolescents. This article examines trends in physical activity (PA) from 2002 to 2010 across 32 countries from Europe and North America. METHODS: Representative samples included 479 674 pupils (49% boys) aged 11 years (n = 156 383), 13 years (n = 163 729) and 15 years (n = 159 562). The trends in meeting the recommendations for PA (at least 60 min daily) were evaluated using logistic regression. RESULTS: There was a slight overall increase between 2002 and 2010 (17.0% and 18.6%, respectively). MVPA increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) among boys in 16 countries. Conversely, nine countries showed a significant decrease. Among girls, 10 countries showed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05). Eight countries showed a significant decrease. For all countries combined, girls were slightly less likely to show an increase in PA over time. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of adolescents do not meet current recommendations of PA. Further investment at national and international levels is therefore necessary to increase PA participation among children and adolescents and reduce the future health burden associated with inactivity.