Understanding Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour of Adolescents in Indonesia

Understanding Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour of Adolescents in Indonesia

The majority of studies concerning physical activity and sedentary behaviour have utilized reported measurements, such as questionnaires, with known limitations including recall and social desirability bias. Combining device-based and reported measurements may provide a more comprehensive picture of both behaviours. The majority of adolescents did not meet physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines. Moreover, more studies need to be conducted in low- and middle-income countries, including Indonesia. This thesis by publication, therefore, consists of four studies aimed at understanding physical activity and sedentary behaviour of a small group of Indonesian adolescents using multiple methods.

Study 1 was a scoping review mapping physical activity and sedentary behaviour research trends for Indonesian youth. Study 2 was a mixed-methods study examining physical activity and sedentary behaviour in female Indonesian adolescents (n=5). Study 3 was a qualitative study exploring physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Indonesian adolescents during the pandemic from the perspective of mothers (n=20). Study 4 was a mixed-methods study in male Indonesian adolescents (n=5) investigating physical activity and sedentary behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies 2 and 4 employed accelerometers, automated wearable cameras, diaries, and interviews.

Study 1 identified 166 studies with more than two-thirds examining physical activity only, and highlighted the need to examine physical activity and sedentary behaviour by using device-based measurements and mixed-methods approaches. Studies 2 and 4 found that sedentary behaviour was high and physical activity was predominantly of light intensity. Smartphones were the most used device, mainly used in the bedroom in a solitary context. Both boys and girls favoured passive video watching. Girls preferred social media, while boys preferred action games. Non-screen-based sedentary behaviour was consistently low. Overall, interviews in Studies 2, 3, and 4 suggested multiple factors influencing high screen time, including lack of awareness of guidelines, parental control, educational demands, device/wifi availability, social facilitators, phone notifications, emotional state, and opportunities for screen time. Interviews in Studies 3 and 4 suggested that adolescents’ physical activity during the pandemic appeared to be related to self-determination and enjoyment, support from others, and physical activity facilities and equipment.

This thesis provides a comprehensive understanding of the physically active and sedentary behaviours of a small group of Indonesian adolescents and showed the advantages of combining device-based and reported measurements. The findings raise the need to investigate these topics more with a larger sample in Indonesia.

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