Participation in organized sports is associated with decreased likelihood of unhealthy lifestyle habits in adolescents

Abstract

Adolescence is a pivotal time for investing in both present and future health. Thus, it is important to identify arenas for promoting positive adolescent health behaviors and preventing negative ones. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between organized sports participation (OSP) and a broad range of lifestyle habits in Norwegian adolescents. A comprehensive survey was completed by 13 269 junior high and high school students in southern Norway. Multivariable binary logistic regression models, adjusted for gender, age, and parental education, were used to investigate the associations between OSP and adolescent substance use, dietary habits, physical activity level, passive vs active transportation, screen time, and sleep duration. Inverse associations were found between OSP and adolescent substance use (odds ratio 0.40 [95% confidence interval 0.30‐0.52] to 0.68 [0.61‐0.76]), irregular consumption of main meals (0.58 [0.53‐0.63] to 0.78 [0.70‐0.89]), high intake of unhealthy food and beverages (0.55 [0.47‐0.65] to 0.86 [0.75‐0.98]), low intake of healthy food items (0.57 [0.51‐0.63] to 0.77 [0.70‐0.84]), low physical activity level (0.15 [0.14‐0.17]), high screen‐based activity (0.61 [0.55‐0.67]), passive vs active transportation (summer; 0.79 [0.72‐0.86] and winter; 0.84 [0.77‐0.92]), and short sleep duration, during both weekdays (0.57 [0.52‐0.63]) and weekends (0.79 [0.69‐0.89]). In conclusion, adolescents participating in organized sports had decreased odds for engaging in several unhealthy lifestyle habits compared with non‐participants, indicating that organized sports may be a relevant setting for promoting healthy behaviors among adolescents. Future studies are, however, needed to confirm a possible causal relationship.

Changes in Lifestyle Habits among Adolescent Girls after FitSpirit Participation

“…Because PA levels decrease while sedentary behaviors increase with age in Canadian girls, the finding that girls were active more frequently after FitSpirit participation is relevant [ 50 ]. The intervention had no impact on sleep duration, although sleep has previously been associated with physical activity [ 48 ]. This finding is probably due to the fact that FitSpirit mainly aims to increase physical activity in adolescent girls and does not address the theme of sleep.…”

“…Associations among lifestyle habits have previously been studied in adolescents. Torstveit et al showed that participating in organized sports is inversely associated with sedentary behaviors, short sleep duration and unhealthful eating habits, such as irregular consumption of main meals and high intake of unhealthful food and beverages [ 48 ]. Active adolescents are more likely to engage in healthful dietary behaviors then their inactive peers.…”

“…For evaluating sedentary behaviors, participants were asked to provide their average number of daily hours and minutes spent watching television, playing video and computer games, and browsing the Internet. The questionnaire assessed participants’ sleeping habits by asking the average number of daily hours of sleep as used elsewhere [ 48 ]. The adherence to recommendations for PA levels, screen time and sleep was assessed by using the daily times recommended according to age in the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth [ 1 ].…”

Attributes of Physical Activity and Gut Microbiome in Adults: A Systematic Review

“…Due to the heterogeneity of measurements across studies, it is not possible to present cumulative results associated with each covariate in this review. Indeed, physically fit individuals are more likely to adopt a healthy living life-style that, accordingly, positively contribute to their gut microbiome composition and general health status [52]. Thus, controlling for PA-related baseline characteristics (behavioral factors such as depression or anxiety; levels of activity prior the intervention; PF levels; body composition, etc.)…”

“…Separating diet from PA (although distinct parameters) may not be feasible, as PA facilitates other positive factors (e.g., psychological and social benefits) [57]. It can be argued that PA it-self leads to dietary changes (eating less/more of specific food types, especially those perceived as "healthy") [52]. In order to address this issue, we encourage future researchers to account for additional effects of diet and closely monitor dietary changes, to mitigate possible effect of diet on gut microbiome composition.…”