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The European Journal of Public Health Advance Access published online on July 8, 2009
The European Journal of Public Health, doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckp100
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

The prevalence of sedentary behaviours and physical activity in Hungarian youth

Pal Hamar1, Stuart Biddle2, Istvan Soós3, Bence Takács1 and Agnes Huszár4

1 Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
2 School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Loughborough University, UK
3 Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sunderland, UK
4 Faculty of Education and Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary

Correspondence: Prof. Stuart Biddle, School of Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, UK, tel: +44 (0) 1509 226394, fax: +44 (0) 1509 226301, e-mail: s.j.h.biddle{at}lboro.ac.uk

Received February 20, 2009 , accepted June 18, 2009

Background: The study of sedentary behaviour is becoming much more visible, alongside research on physical activity. Few published studies, however, originate from Eastern or Central Europe. Method: Prevalence and point estimate data of key leisure time sedentary and active behaviours are reported from Hungary, a country that has been through an important political transition in the past two decades. Participants (n = 301) aged 13–18 years completed time-use diaries over 4 days for time outside of school. Sedentary and active behaviours were coded and analysed. Results: TV viewing reflected trends found elsewhere and was the most prevalent sedentary behaviour. Physical activity levels were low. The next most time-consuming sedentary weekday activities were homework, motorized transport, sitting and talking and playing computer/video games. Gender differences were different to some other countries, with girls reporting more computer game use and boys more sitting and talking, but these may reflect cultural and reporting differences. Conclusion: This study provides the first comprehensive description of sedentary behavioural prevalence in Hungarian youth.

Keywords: Hungary, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, youth.


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