Patterns of adolescent physical activity and dietary behaviours

Abstract

Background: The potential synergistic effects of multiple dietary and physical activity behaviours on the risk of chronic conditions and health outcomes is a key issue for public health. This study examined the prevalence and clustering patterns of multiple health behaviours among a sample of adolescents in the UK.

An examination of school- and student-level characteristics associated with the likelihood of students’ meeting the Canadian physical activity guidelines in the COMPASS study

“…Those that were consistently associated were all the demographic characteristics, binge drinking, and eating the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables. 8,[14][15][16][17][18][19] For instance, we identified that current binge drinkers were more likely to meet both the MVPA and CSEP recommendations, a finding consistent with previous Canadian research suggesting that youth who binge drink are also more apt to be physically active. 30 Interestingly, marijuana use and sedentary behaviour were not associated with either MVPA or CSEP, contrary to previous research.…”

“…On the other hand, there is ample evidence considering the student-level correlates of physical activity (e.g., MVPA). For instance, research has identified that student activity levels are associated with sedentary behaviour, 13 smoking, 14 binge drinking, 14 being overweight or obese, 1,8 reporting inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, 15 being female, 8,16,17 being in a higher grade, 16 of low socio-economic status (SES), 18 and being in a racial minority. 17,19 Less evidence to date has examined the student-level correlates associated with the CSEP guidelines.…”

Consumption of sugar-rich food products among Brazilian students:National School Health Survey (PeNSE 2012)

“…Moreover, a study that used data from PeNSE 2012 showed a poorer quality diet among girls compared with boys 30 , suggesting that Brazilian female adolescents are more exposed to inadequate food consumption 29,30 . The finding regarding the association gradient between a higher amount of time spent watching TV and more elevated consumption of sugar-rich food products among adolescents is also consistent with evidence from other studies 17,31,32,33,34 . Evidence suggests that behavioral risk factors, such as the habit of watching TV, or lengthy screen time, and inadequate food consumption, have an influence on one another, tending to coexist in the form of a cluster, resulting in added risk of the development of overweight and comorbidities 32 .…”

Can differences in physical activity by socio-economic status in European adolescents be explained by differences in psychosocial correlates? A mediation analysis within the HELENA (Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence) Study

“…Regular physical activity (PA) in adolescents is related to beneficial health outcomes during adolescence (1,2) and adulthood (1) . However, previous studies using objective and subjective assessment methods revealed that the majority of adolescents are not sufficiently active (3,4) . As a result, the promotion of PA in adolescent populations has become an international health concern.…”