Physical activity of children and adolescents from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia: A systematic review.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE\nSystematic monitoring of physical activity of young populations from different regions may be useful for making international comparisons, better understanding trends in physical activity and designing public health interventions to increase physical activity. Thus, the aim of the study was to comprehensively review studies examining the level of physical activity of children and adolescents from the Visegrád countries, and indicate the percentage of children and adolescents meeting the recommended level of physical activity.\n\n\nMATERIAL AND METHODS\nA systematic search of the published literature was conducted. Included were reports with original research that consisted of the proportion of children and adolescents who met physical activity recommendations or guidelines. To provide a current picture of physical activity of children and adolescents, the review was restricted to studies published between January 2015 - November 2018.\n\n\nRESULTS\nModerate-to-vigorous physical activity recommendations were met by between 7.5% - 69.4% of children and adolescents. Vigorous physical activity recommendations were met by between 33.6% - 64.5% of children and adolescents. Daily recommendations for the number of steps taken were fulfilled by between 11.6% - 69.0% of children and adolescents. Differences between age categories, genders and countries were observed.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nPublic health interventions to increase physical activity are required to decrease insufficient levels of physical activity in children and adolescents, especially in girls. The review also highlights the need for studies with representative random samples that use validated measurement methods.