[Physical activity and leisure time in children. I: Relation to socioeconomic status]. / Actividad física y ocio en jóvenes. I: Influencia del nivel socioeconómico.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess physical activity and leisure time activities in relation to socioeconomic status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have studied 1,078 boys and girls from 24 schools from areas of different geographical and socioeconomical status. Physical activity and leisure time activities were assessed by a questionnaire. RESULTS: We have observed that adolescents spend more time watching T.V. than doing physical activity (p = 0.0001). In general, boys prefer strong physical activity. Children from the lowest socioeconomic families did less physical activity than children from the highest socioeconomic families (p < or = 0.05). In girls, those with the lowest socioeconomic status spent the greatest amount of time watching T.V. (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: From our results, we deduce that we must improve physical activity habits in children, especially in those from the lowest socioeconomic families.