Biological and socio-cultural determinants of physical activity in adolescents

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Andre F Seabra (Author) FADEUP; Denisa M Mendonca (Author) ICBAS; Martine A Thomis (Author) Other; Luiz A Anjos (Author) Other; Jose A Maia (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Cadernos de Saúde Pública

Vol. 24 No. 5

Pages: 721-736

ISSN: 0102-311X

Publisher: Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 85 Citations

Scopus - 118 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Health sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-0A7

DOI: 10.1590/s0102-311x2008000400002

Abstract (EN): Physical activity is important for health promotion and disease prevention. Effective physical activity programs for adolescents require a proper understanding of the determinants of activity levels. The main purpose of this paper was to review the scientific literature on determinants of physical activity among adolescents: demographic, biological (age, gender, socioeconomic status), and socio-cultural (family, peers, and physical education teachers). The review included only studies with large samples (>= 100 subjects) and a cross-sectional design, and that used questionnaires to measure physical activity in adolescents (10-18 years). The main results and conclusions were: age is negatively associated with physical activity; boys tend to be more active than girls; higher socioeconomic status is positively associated with more physical activity; adolescents are more involved in physical activity when parents and peers also participate; physical education teachers do not influence the adolescents' level of physical activity.

Language: Portuguese

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 16