Background: The physical activity level of girls and young women is not known in Norway, hence the aim of this survey was to study physical activity and compare it with national recommendations for physical activity.
Material and methods: A questionnaire including the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was administered to a representative sample of women aged 13-39 years (n=900). The response rate was 69%; 549 women were included in the study.
Results: The physical activity level and intensity of exercise decreased with increasing age. 52 % percent of those aged 13-19 met the recommendations for adolescents: at least one hour of activity per day, including walking or other activities of at least moderate intensity. 63% percent of women in the age group 20-39 were physically active during the last week, on average at least 30 minutes every day at moderate intensity. In the age bracket 20-29 and 30-39 years, 72%, and 57%, respectively met the recommendations.
Interpretation: The activity level decreased with increasing age. Every second adolescent girl and four in ten young women were not as physically active as recommended.