Abstract
The main objective of this research article was to make a cluster analysis in Compulsory Secondary Education students with regard to their physical activity levels, their relationship with nutritional habits and body perception. In this study, a total of 1089 students participated, to whom a battery of tests was given in order to assess three aspects: levels of physical activity, food consumption habits and perception of body image. The main results indicated that the adolescent sample presented high levels of physical activity in comparison with other studies. In addition, a profile analysis was carried out, showing that there were no differences in physical activity, in nutritional habits or in body-image index. Taking into account gender, women who practice light physical activity had better nutritional habits. On the other hand, boys dominated in the group of moderate-to-high physical activity, while the girls were mainly included in the profile of low physical activity. Finally, body-image index was greater in men than women. It was concluded that is necessary to promote the importance of adequate nutritional habits in addition to physical activity, and it is necessary to promote body image, particularly among adolescent girls, given their low values of physical activity and worse body-image perception in relation to boys.
Highlights
Fernández-MartínezAdolescence is a period of life characterized by numerous biological, psychological and social changes [1]
The HELENA study that measured the level of physical activity and time spent in a sedentary manner in adolescents from nine European countries observed, as in this research, that those who carried out moderate-to-vigorous-intensity activity had high cardiorespiratory fitness and spent less time on sedentary activities, but most adolescents spent most of their time displaying sedentary behavior [33]
Regarding the second of the objectives, which sought to relate the levels of physical activity with gender and with the nutritional habits of our sample, the results confirm our hypothesis that male adolescents are the ones who perform more physical activity weekly, though within these, those who carry out intense physical activity showed no differences in eating habits
Summary
Adolescence is a period of life characterized by numerous biological, psychological and social changes [1]. years), middle (between and 16 years) and late (from 18 to 21 years) [2] These different stages are susceptible to the acquisition of habits and routines where the choices made relate to the influences of their environment, which can be of significance for their future life, and of great importance in the promotion of healthy lifestyles in this period [3]. These lifestyle habits should include proper nutrition and regular physical activity. In 2018 an international study led by the WHO found that one in five adolescents (21%)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
