Factors associated with physical activity, sedentary behavior, and participation in physical education among high school students in Santa Catarina State, Brazil

The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of insufficient physical activity, sedentary behavior, and absence from physical education and associated factors. The Santa Catarina State Adolescents' Questionnaire (COMPAC, in Portuguese) was applied to a sample of 5,028 adolescents (15-19 years of age) attending public high schools in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Information included demographic and socioeconomic indicators. Poisson regression analyses were used to test associations. The proportion of students with insufficient physical activity was 28.5%, associated with low consumption of fruits and vegetables (PR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.15; 1.40) and enrollment in night classes (PR = 1.44; 95% CI: 1.34; 1.54). Absence from physical education was reported by 48.6%; employment and older age were negatively associated with absence from physical education. Sedentary behavior was reported by 38.4%, but was less frequent in rural areas (PR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.31; 0.83) and among those enrolled in absence from physical education (RP = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.56; 0.95). The results suggest interventions with specific strategies aimed at ameliorating each contributing factor.