Physical Activity Intensity Among Adolescents and Association With Parent-Adolescent Relationship and Well-Being

Participation in physical activity (PA) provides young people significant health benefits, including improved well-being. However, large percentages of children and adolescents do not meet the recommendations for PA. Given that PA patterns are established during childhood and adolescence, and evolve within the context of the family, the current study explores the relationship between perceived parent-adolescent relationships and adolescents' PA levels, body mass index (BMI), and subjective well-being. The study was conducted in Israel, and the sample included 233 participants (126 girls, 107 boys) aged 13 to 18 years. Participants self-reported the following measures: demographic information, BMI, the Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Personal Well-Being Index, and parent-adolescent relationship. The data were analyzed using Pearson analyses, t tests, and regressions. A clear difference emerged in strenuous PA activity by sex [ t(₂₂₃) = 2.1, p < .01]; the average strenuous PA was greater for boys ( M = 3.9, SD = 2.4) than for girls ( M = 1.8, SD = .2.4). Furthermore, different predictors of strenuous PA by sex were found: for boys, parent-adolescent relationship was a significant predictor; for girls, subjective well-being was a predictor. The findings can shed light on the need for different intervention programs for adolescent boys and girls to increase their involvement in PA.