Patterns of physical activity and associated factors among teenagers from Barcelona (Spain) in 2012

Abstract Objective To estimate the prevalence of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and associated factors among teenagers from Barcelona in 2012. Methods Cross-sectional survey to assess risk factors in a representative sample of secon...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Gaceta sanitaria 2017-11, Vol.31 (6), p.485-491
Main Authors: Ruiz-Trasserra, Alicia, Pérez, Anna, Continente, Xavier, O’Brien, Kerry, Bartroli, Montse, Teixidó-Compaño, Ester, Espelt, Albert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescence
Adolescencia
Cross-sectional studies
Demography
Ejercicio
Encuesta de salud
Estudios transversales
Exercise
Gender identity
Health Care Sciences & Services
Health Policy & Services
Health survey
Identidad de género
Infectious Diseases
Internal Medicine
Psychology
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sociology
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Summary:Abstract Objective To estimate the prevalence of moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA), as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and associated factors among teenagers from Barcelona in 2012. Methods Cross-sectional survey to assess risk factors in a representative sample of secondary school students (aged 13–16 years, International Standard Classification of Education [ISCED] 2, n = 2,162; and 17–18 years, ISCED 3, n = 1016) in Barcelona. We estimated MVPA prevalence overall, and for each independent variable and each gender. Poisson regression models with robust variance were fit to examine the factors associated with high-level MVPA, and obtained prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results Only 13% of ISCED 2 and 10% of ISCED 3 students met the WHO physical activity recommendations. This percentage was lower among girls at both academic levels. MVPA was lower among ISCED 3 compared to ISCED 2 students, and among students with a lower socioeconomic status. Physical activity was associated with positive self-perception of the health status (e.g., positive self-perception of health status among ISCED 2 compared to ISCED 3 students: PR = 1.31 [95%CI: 1.22–1.41] and 1.61 [95%CI: 1.44–1.81] for boys and girls, respectively]. Conclusions The percentage of teenagers who met WHO MVPA recommendations was low. Strategies are needed to increase MVPA levels, particularly in older girls, and students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
ISSN:0213-9111
DOI:10.1016/j.gaceta.2016.10.004