Sedentary lifestyle amongst Teenagers (12-18-year-Old)

Asst. Prof. Nithya Venkataraman, Siddhant Kulshrestha

Abstract
The study was done with the aim of identifying the repercussions of sedentary lifestyle
adopted by the teenagers and the factors influencing it and what are the aftermath the participants
might experience which exposed to the specified lifestyle. The study continues with the analyses
of the data obtained from both primary and secondary sources which helped the researcher in
identification and validation sedentary lifestyle infused within the specified population. The
methodology used during the process of the research were Empirical, Quantitative, Qualitative
and Descriptive Formats. The research was executed in 4 waves of sample which enable the
researcher to have a deeper insight of the participants of each wave. This study provides
evidence supporting the link between physical inactivity and obesity and lower BMI index in
teenagers of HSR Layout, Bengaluru.

Introduction
“Globally, around 31% of adults aged 15 and over were insufficiently active in 2008
(men 28% and women 34%). Approximately 3.2 million deaths each year are attributable to
insufficient physical activity.” (World Health Organization, Physical Inactivity: A Global Public
Health Problem, 2010).
In 2008, prevalence of insufficient physical activity was highest in the WHO Region of the
Americas and the Eastern Mediterranean Region. In both these regions, almost 50% of women
were insufficiently active, while the prevalence for men was 40% in the Americas and 36% in
Eastern Mediterranean. The South East Asian Region showed the lowest percentages (15% for
men and 19% for women). In all WHO Regions, men were more active than women, with the
biggest difference in prevalence between the two sexes in Eastern Mediterranean. This was also
the case in nearly every country. (World Health Organization, Physical Inactivity: A Global
Public Health Problem, 2010)

Objectives
The research proceeds with the following objectives:
• To study the repercussions of Sedentary lifestyle on teenagers (12-18 years), HSR layout,
Bengaluru
• To identify the causes resulting in sedentary lifestyle amongst the teenagers (12-18 years),
HSR layout, Bengaluru.

Literature Review
Defining “Sedentary Lifestyle”

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 Sedentary is a type of behavior characterized by little or no physical movements and low
energy expenditure. (Tremblay, et al., 2011). Adapting to sedentary lifestyle can evidently
contribute from higher mortality rate to chronic health ailments such as cardiovascular disease,
diabetes, osteoporosis, spinal disc herniation and several preventable causes of death such as
hypertension, obesity, lipid disorder, depression and anxiety. (World Health Organization,
Physical inactivity a leading cause of disease and disability, warns WHO, 2002).

A recent shift in socio-economic status of people above the age of 15 has caused a rift and studies
are beginning to show the correlation between the status of physical inactivity and Muscle atrophy
or Sarcopenia (Loss of muscle strength, mass & quality) to be positive. Even though, the study
shows the introduction of light intensity physical activity occupations since 1960, the prevalence
of the moderate and vigorous intensity occupations has decreased from 48% in 1960 to 20% in
2008, resulting in extensive obesity rate across the population. (Church, et al., 2011).

A study conducted by University of Navarra, Spain claims the strong association of Obesity
and higher weight with the sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activities in young as well as
elder adults. (Gonzalez, Martinez, Hu, Kearney, & Gibney, 1999)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a tool to quantify the tissue mass of fat, muscle and bone collectively,
which in turn shows the health condition of an individual on physiological levels. It is the ratio of
body mass and square of stature height of a human body, (kg/h2).

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 Fig.1 BMI standards with body type segmentations

The above graph depicts the relationship between height and weight and significance of
the BMI under the categories of Underweight (BMI<18.5), Normal (BMI 18.5-25), Overweight
(BMI 25-30) and Obese (BMI>30).

The following graph depicts the data of the body mass index for the age percentiles from 2 to 20
years of age. Further, it shows the current global scenario that the 50th percentile of the population
between the age of 14-16 are underweight and a gradual increase in BMI is observed since 2000
to a potential obese level. The following graphs shows the BMI-Age-percentile data for both sexes.

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Fig.2 BMI standards with Index for Age Percentiles (Male)

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 Fig.3 BMI standards with Index for Age Percentiles (Female)

The measures used in calculation of BMI in Adults and teens is different than the measures of an
Infant and toddlers. (Division of Nutrition & Health, 2015) Thus, the interpretation of BMI varies
by age and sex of a human. (World Health Organization, Global Database on Body Mass Index -
Update, 2018).

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Since the advancements in industrial revolution, the millennials are seeking refuge into the digital
medias. According to a study conducted by American Academy of Pediatrics, the average time a
child (8-10 years) spends his recreational hours in front of screen of different medias is 8 hours
(approx.). Whereas, teenagers are exposed to 11 hours of screen time per day which in fact
increases up to 71% according to how easily they can access these mediums. (American Academy
Of Pediatrics, 2013). The digital influence on children and adolescents has led to insufficient
amount of energy expenditure and physical inactivity which has resulted in various chronic
disorders as discussed earlier in the review. (Church, et al., 2011).

The current scenario of physical inactivity is also due to increase in the levels of passive modes of
transport and various environmental factors such as high-density traffic, low air Quality, lack of
recreational facilities and a strong need of relevant policies has been stated in the article by World
Health Organization. (World Health Organization, Physical Inactivity: A Global Public Health
Problem, 2010). (J, et al., 2007).

As per study by The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, to gain physiological,
neurobiological and psychological health benefits, an individual of age 12-18 should engage into
60 minutes of moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. This may include vigorous
intensity activities at least 3 days a week, activities which strengthen musculoskeletal system at
least 3 days a week. (Tremblay, et al., 2011)

Research Methodology
The study was conducted with the implementation of various methodologies. The data
collected through primary sources included empirical methods which consists of both direct and
indirect observations and experiences. Another approach made to gather data was done through
mixed methods which included both quantitative and qualitative methods viz Interviews.
Descriptive methods were used in the form of Surveys. This methodology was used because of
its resource efficiency. Nonetheless, it would be very hard to rule out alternative explanations
and especially infer causations. Thus, Descriptive approach was used.

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Data Collection and Analysis
The following figures depicts the data obtained from multiple methodologies suggests the
physiological changes and how a body type is affected by the sedentary lifestyle. Figure 4 and
Figure 5 shows that the majority of studied sample of teenagers stood under the category of
Underweight, Overweight and Obese for female and male respectively. Where almost 27 out of 50
female population in the defined geography and age stood under these segments similarly to which,
28 out of 50 male population in the defined geography and age stood under these segments. The
figures following to 4 and 5 shows the Intention of the subjects whether they indulge themselves
into Physical activities of medium or higher METs.

Body Type FEMALE

25
22

20

15
15
12

10

0
Ecto Endo Meso

Fig.4 Account of Body types of No. of Participants (Female)

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 Body Type MALE
25
22
21
20

15

10

6
5

0
Ecto Endo Meso

Fig.5 Account of Body types of No. of Participants (Male)

As discussed earlier, the following graph depicts the data on the intention of the participant in an
recreational or physical activities of higher METs irrespective of the body type the subject possesses. This
data creates segment of participants who practise physical activities and vice versa which in turn enabled
the researcher into finding the root cause of the non-engagement of the participants into physical activities.
As the graph (Fig 6) shows the number of female participants majorly stood under the Non-engaging
criteria.

Whereas, In a complete contrast, the male participants majorly made their space into the engaging criteria
irrespective of the body type, Body mass Index or Basal metabolic rate.

FEMALE
35
30
30
25
19
20
15
10
5
0
No Yes

Fig.6 Intention of Engagement (Female)

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 MALE
26

25
25

24
24

23
No Yes

Fig.7 Intention of Engagement (Male)

Non-Availability of Spaces

No Interest

Deficiency (Chronic/Acute)

Academics

12 12.5 13 13.5 14 14.5 15 15.5

Fig.7 Reasons for Insufficient Physical Inactivity

Conclusion
The final data retrieved through vigorous understanding of the fundamentals of sedentary
lifestyle and the comparative analysis of the data obtained to the standards proposed by the World
health Organization. The majority of the participants from the defined geographical area were
observed to be classified under the sedentary lifestyle where in the case of female participants the
subject tends to engage themselves into physical activities of higher and medium METs as the
body mass index increases. Contrary to which, the male population, as the body mass index
increases the engagement hours as well as the intention of engagement decreases. The study
revealed the prime cause of the insufficient physical activity is Insufficiency in availability of
recreational spaces.
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References
American academy of pediatrics. (2013). Children, adolescents, and the media. Council on
communications and media, 1-2.
Church, t. S., thomas, d. M., locke, c. T., katmarzyk, p. T., earnest, c. P., rodarte, r. Q., . . .
Bouchard , c. (2011). Trends over 5 decades in u.s. occupation-related physical activity
and their associations with obesity. Biology and life sciences.
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from centers for disease control and prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/childrens_bmi/about_childrens_bmi.ht
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Gonzalez, m. M., martinez, a. J., hu, f., kearney, j., & gibney, m. (1999). Physical inactivity,
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J, m., h, g., m, a., jc, r., j, c., & mp, s. (2007). Active versus passive transportation to school-
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World health organization. (2018, March 04). Global database on body mass index - update.
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