Conductas sedentarias en preadolescentes y adolescentes: análisis comparativo de la estratificación según edad, sexo y días de la semana

Introduction: the study of sedentary behaviours (SB) in different age groups is a constant concern for health and education systems, due to the close relationship between lifestyle habits in early life and their consolidation during adulthood. Objective: the purpose of the study was to analyse SB in Chilean pre-adolescent and adolescent students of both sexes. Method: a comparative cross-sectional study was designed. A total of 1,867 students stratified by gender (M = 991 and F = 876) and age (13-15 and 16-19 years) completed the HELENA questionnaire for weekdays and weekends. The chi-square test was used to obtain differences in comparisons by gender, age stratification, and type of school day. Results: significant differences (p < 0.01) were found between the hours spent using the internet in the comparison by gender, with higher numbers among males and in the adolescent group. The number of hours spent watching television (p = 0.040) and studying (p = 0.023) was higher among females, with the highest figures in the 13-15 age group. The comparison between days showed differences between weekdays in the hours spent playing computer games, console games, using the internet for leisure and studying, regardless of age and gender. Conclusions: sedentary behaviours differ according to age, gender and school day, so it is recommended that differentiated intervention strategies be designed for pre-adolescents and adolescents and according to gender.