Activity and social correlates of physical fitness in Lithuanian schoolchildren

Abstract

Background. Physical fitness (PF), an important marker of health and well-being, is influenced by a multitude of factors. This study aimed to quantify the associations of social environment factors with different aspects of PF among schoolchildren. Methods. Participants of this cross-sectional study were apparently healthy adolescents aged 11–18 years who attended regular secondary schools (n=4925, 51% girls). PF was assessed using the 8-item Eurofit test battery. Social environment (parents’ education, family’s and friends’ support for physical activity (PA)), personal motivation for PA, actual PA level and participation in organised sports status all were derived using questionnaires. Age- and sex- adjusted body mass index (BMI) cut-points were used to classify adolescents as overweight/obese or not. Results. Up to 45% of the variability in PF levels was explained by utilizing all the factors from questionnaires and adding BMI. Age, sex, and BMI were most strongly associated with PF, while parents’ education, personal motivation for PA, friends’ support for PA, and organised sports participation were additional significant correlates of PF among schoolchildren. However, familial support for PA and current PA level were typically non-significantly associated with PF. Conclusion. Parents’ education, motivation, friends’ support for PA, and organised sports participation were important social- and activity-related correlates of current levels of PF among adolescents.