Low physical activity among adolescents in practical education

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Exercise Science
• Adolescent Health
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• Physical activity is crucial for adolescent health and well-being.
• Variations in physical activity levels exist among different secondary school programs.
• Understanding factors influencing these variations is key for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate physical activity levels in 16-year-old students across Swedish secondary school practical and theoretical programs.
• To identify factors associated with physical activity differences between these educational programs.
• To explore gender-specific physical activity patterns within each program type.

Main Methods:

• Systematic selection of 585 first-year secondary school students (16-year-olds) in Sweden.
• High participation rate (93%) achieved through questionnaire completion.
• Statistical analysis to compare physical activity levels and identify influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Students in practical programs exhibited lower daily physical activity (time and energy expenditure) compared to theoretical programs.
• Girls in practical programs were the least active; boys in theoretical programs were the most active.
• Factors explaining lower activity in practical programs included lower socio-economic status, reduced parental support, poorer perceived health, and negative attitudes toward outdoor activities.

Conclusions:

• Physical activity promotion efforts should prioritize students in practical programs, particularly girls.
• School-based interventions are recommended due to the influence of parental support on physical activity levels.
• Addressing socio-economic, familial, and attitudinal factors is essential for enhancing adolescent physical activity.