Low physical activity among adolescents in practical education

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports Vol. 15; no. 5; pp. 287 - 297
• Main Authors: Westerståhl, M., Barnekow-Bergkvist, M., Jansson, E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.10.2005; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adolescent; Attitude to Health; Education; Energy Metabolism; exercise; Female; gender; Health Behavior; Health Status; Humans; leisure-time; Logistic Models; Male; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Motor Activity; Parent-Child Relations; physical education; Physical fitness; Questionnaires; Secondary school students; socio-economic factors; Socioeconomic Factors; sports; Statistical analysis; Students; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sweden; Teenagers; Sweden
• ISSN: 0905-7188; 1600-0838; 1600-0838
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0838.2004.00420.x

The aim of this study was to investigate physical activity levels and factors related to physical activity among 16‐year‐old girls and boys in secondary school practical and theoretical programs. An additional aim was to identify factors contributing to differences in physical activity patterns between the educational programs. Sixteen‐year‐old students in the first year of secondary school in Sweden (n=585) were systematically selected and 93% agreed to complete a questionnaire. Compared with students in theoretical programs, those in practical programs spent less time and energy per day in physical activity. Girls in practical programs were the least physically active, and boys in theoretical programs the most physically active students. Statistical analysis showed that, among students in practical programs, the influence of educational program on physical activity level was explained by lower socio‐economic level, less parental support, lower perceived health level, and negative attitudes toward outdoor physical activities. These data suggest that promotion of physical activity should focus on students, especially girls, in practical programs. Because the difference in physical activity levels between educational programs was partly an effect of less positive parental influence, school‐based programs may be especially influential in increasing physical activity levels among secondary school students.