Recommended levels of physical activity to avoid an excess of body fat in European adolescents: the HELENA Study.

Background: It is unclear how much physical activity is necessary to prevent obesity during adolescence.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the current physical activity guidelines for youth are associated with a lower risk of excess of body fat in European adolescents.

Methods: A sample of 2094 adolescents from the HELENA cross-sectional study was selected.