RESUMEN
Introduction: Improvement in technology has resulted in sedentary lifestyle with increasing risk of non communicable diseases. Identifying physical activity level and its associated beliefs in adolescent girls can facilitate the planning of programs for improving health promotion
Method: This study is a cross-sectional descriptive analytical research that was conducted through multistep randomized sampling in 636 student from 7 public middle school of Rafsanjan city. Data were collected via a 3 part questionnaire [demographic, level of physical activity over the last 7 days and beliefs regarding exercise]. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software [version 16] and including descriptive statistics [mean, standard deviation, ] and deductive statistics [t-test, ANONA]
Results: About 52% of students had inadequate physical activity. Only 4.2% had adequate physical activity. This study found that there was a significant relationship between physical activity level and the level of parents' education [P=0.019 and P=0.044]. There were no significant relationship between physical activity and age, BMI, economic status of family and employment status of parents [P>0.05]. In addition results showed that majority of students were strongly agree with the encourage role of teacher of physical educations [71.1%] parent [61%] and athletes [59.7%]
Conclusion: Given the importance of physical activity in adolescent girls, health policy makers should make appropriate measures through education and counseling to encouraging this vulnerable group and their parents to do appropriate physical activity and having active life style to promote community health