Abstract

Objective: To measure the physical activity and participation in sedentary behavior of adolescents and to measure the association of physical activity and socio-demographic variables.
Methodology: This study was conducted from May to July 2016 in a small town of Punjab, Kamalia and included 427 adolescents of ninth and tenth grade of government high schools. We used global physical activity questionnaire, to measure physical activity, sedentary behavior, participation in physical education class and travel to school. Data were analyzed in SPSS 21.
Results: More than 80% of adolescents were physically inactive and more than 60% were living a sedentary life. 54% of students never participated in physical activities, whereas 63% of students did not even know the benefits of being physical active. There was no mandatory physical education class for students in school.
Conclusion: Adolescents are not physically active and are prone to develop sedentary behaviors in their lives. This can lead to unhealthy lifestyle and development of many diseases in their middle age.

Key words: Adolescents, physical activity, school, sedentary life style.