Prática de atividade física em adolescentes: estudo de prevalência e desenvolvimento de um graphic novel como ferramenta biblioterapêutica para promoção de hábitos fisicamente ativos

Abstract

Physical activity is inherent to human beings. It allows us to interact, express our thoughts and emotions and strengthen our social identity. Complex and biocultural in nature, physical activity involves voluntary movements of the body, resulting in energy expenditure above rest. Despite being a determining factor in health protection for all age groups from the age of five, not everyone complies with the recommended guidelines. In adolescence, failure to comply with these guidelines increases the risk of chronic non communicable diseases and unhealthy behaviors in adulthood, constituting a major public health problem. This dissertation generated two main products: a prevalence study article and a technical product characterized as bibliotherapeutic material. The prevalence study aimed to identify the Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) and the intensity of physical activity in adolescents from public schools. This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional and analytical study, part of the ELCAS project: “Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Behavior in Physical Activity and Health”. The research was conducted with adolescents of both sexes, students from the state public school system (urban and rural) of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, enrolled in the first year of high school in 2022 and 2023. The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used. Physical activity was converted into MET min/week and classified as high (≥3,000 MET min/week), moderate (≥600 MET min/week) and low (<600 MET min/week). A total of 1,616 adolescents took part (mean age: 15.3±0.7 years; 50.4% female). Of the participants, 59.6% studied in the morning, 18.1% studied and worked, 33.4% used inactive transportation, and 52.7% of their parents were physically inactive. The average MET min/week was higher among male adolescents, those on the day shift, who combined study and work, used active transportation and had physically active parents. Adolescents who attended the day shift showed a protective factor for physical activity levels compared to those enrolled at night. This research revealed significant connections between physical activity levels and various sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics. Factors such as cultural norms, gender roles, school shift, use of active transportation, work-study balance, parental support and perceived insecurity proved to be influential in the physical activity patterns of adolescents enrolled in public schools. The use of metrics based on METs to assess physical activity remains relatively unexplored. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the promotion of healthy and physically active habits in adolescents. In addition to the scientific contribution, technical products were developed that allow the practical use of the knowledge produced, including workshops, booklets, E-books and a bibliotherapeutic material in the graphic novel genre.