The influence of physical activity, adherence to Mediterranean diet, and weight status on the psychological well-being of adolescents.

The mental health of adolescents is a determining factor for their adequate development, but is influenced by factors such as physical activity, nutrition, gender, and weight status. However, previous research has not analysed differences in psychological status, mainly in basic psychological needs and life satisfaction, among male and female adolescents with different levels of physical activity, weight status and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD). For this reason, the objectives of the present investigation were to establish whether the differences between active and inactive adolescents in basic psychological needs and life satisfaction depend on gender; and to determine the differences in basic psychological needs and life satisfaction of active and inactive adolescents with different weight status and AMD. A total of 791 adolescents aged between twelve and sixteen years old participated in the study. All the participants were measured for basic psychological needs, life satisfaction, and level of physical activity, AMD, and height and body mass. The results showed a higher score in basic psychological needs and life satisfaction for active adolescents in both the males' and females' groups. No differences were found in the psychological variables when comparing adolescents with different weight status. Adolescents with a higher AMD showed higher scores in satisfaction of basic psychological needs and satisfaction with life than adolescents with a worse AMD. Therefore, it can be concluded that the level of physical activity and AMD are factors to be considered for the mental health of adolescents, but the relevance of weight status will have to be confirmed in future research.

Are physical activity and/or adherence to the Mediterranean diet determinants of the changes found in kinanthropometric variables, body composition and physical fitness in adolescents?

The practice of physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD) have been extensively studied for their relationship with kinanthropometric, body composition and physical fitness variables. However, no previous study has analyzed whether these healthy habits are equally determinant for the differences found in kinanthropometric, body composition and physical fitness variables or, on the contrary, if one of them is more relevant. For this reason, the objectives of the present study were: (1) to analyze the differences in kinanthropometric, body composition, and physical fitness variables between adolescents with different levels of physical activity and AMD, and (2) to determine whether physical activity and/or AMD are predictors of differences in kinanthropometric variables, body composition or physical fitness in adolescents. The sample consisted of 791 adolescents (404 males and 387 females; mean age: 14.39±1.26 year-old) whose physical activity level, AMD, kinanthropometric variables, body composition and physical fitness, were measured. The results showed differences when considering the level of physical activity in kinanthropometric variables, body composition and physical fitness, but not the level of AMD, which was relevant only when it was poor, and the adolescents were inactive. Nevertheless, the AMD did not seem to exert such a determining effect as to produce significant differences on its own. On the other hand, the practice of physical activity did act as a predictor mainly of changes in the fitness variables. Therefore, the main novelty of the present study is the establishment of an order of importance of the healthy habits acquired by adolescents, concluding that the practice of physical activity is more determinant for the differences found in the study variables.

The Degree of Problematic Technology Use Negatively Affects Physical Activity Level, Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Psychological State of Adolescents.

The previous scientific literature has shown how detrimental addictive internet and mobile phone use can be for the adolescent population. However, little is known about their influence on the physical activity, kinanthropometry and body composition, nutrition patterns, psychological state, and physical fitness of this population. For this reason, the objectives of this research were (a) to determine the differences in the physical activity level, kinanthropometric and body composition variables, adherence to Mediterranean diet (AMD), psychological state, and physical fitness according to gender and different levels of problematic use of the internet and mobile phones; and (b) to establish the differences in the physical activity level, kinanthropometric and body composition variables, AMD, psychological state, and physical fitness among adolescents when considering problematic use of the internet and mobile phones in combination. The sample consisted of 791 adolescent males and females between 12 and 16 years of age (1st to 4th course) from four compulsory secondary schools (404 males and 387 females; mean age: 14.39 ± 1.26 years-old; mean height: 163.47 ± 8.94 cm; mean body mass: 57.32 ± 13.35 kg; mean BMI: 21.36 ± 3.96 kg/m2). The physical activity level (baseline score: 2.64 ± 0.67), kinanthropometric variables and body composition, AMD (baseline score: 6.48 ± 2.48), psychological state (baseline life satisfaction: 17.73 ± 4.83; competence: 26.48 ± 7.54; autonomy: 25.37 ± 6.73; relatedness: 24.45 ± 6.54), and physical condition variables were measured. The results showed that adolescent males and females with problematic internet and/or mobile phone use presented a worse psychological state, but it is especially relevant to highlight that females also had a lower level of physical activity and AMD, with problematic mobile phone use being especially relevant, mainly in the psychological state of adolescents. In conclusion, problematic use of the internet and mobile phones can have detrimental effects on the level of physical activity, AMD, and psychological state of adolescents, with the differences found in females being particularly relevant.

Influencia del género, nivel educativo y práctica deportiva de los progenitores sobre hábitos deportivos en escolares / Influência do gênero, nível educacional e prática desportiva dos pais nos hábitos esportivos das crianças em idade escolar / Influence of gender, educational level and parents' sports practice on sports habits of school children

Resumen La importancia de los padres en la actividad física de sus hijos durante la adolescencia ha sido constatada previamente, pero pocos estudios han establecido cuáles son las variables más determinantes. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar las diferencias en la práctica deportiva de los adolescentes según el nivel educativo, el nivel de práctica deportiva y los estereotipos de género de sus progenitores. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 965 adolescentes y 1599 progenitores de la Región de Murcia. Los resultados mostraron diferencias en la práctica deportiva de los adolescentes al considerar el nivel educativo de las madres, la actividad física realizada por los padres para los varones, la frecuencia de práctica de las madres para las mujeres y los estereotipos de género de las madres. Como conclusiones, señalar que los estereotipos de género y el nivel educativo de los progenitores influyeron en la práctica deportiva de los adolescentes.

Resumo A importância dos pais na atividade física dos seus filhos durante a adolescência foi previamente afirmada, mas poucos estudos determinaram quais são as variáveis mais determinantes. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a influência dos estereótipos de gênero, o nível educacional e o nível de prática desportiva dos pais sobre a prática desportiva dos seus filhos. A amostra foi composta por 965 adolescentes e 1599 pais da Região de Múrcia. Os resultados mostraram diferenças na prática desportiva dos adolescentes ao considerar o nível educacional das mães, a atividade física realizada pelos pais para os homens, a frequência da prática das mães para as mulheres e os estereótipos de gênero das mães. Como conclusões, é de notar que os estereótipos de gênero e o nível de educação dos pais influenciaram a prática do desporto pelos adolescentes.

Abstract The importance of parents in the physical activity of their children during adolescence has been previously established, but few studies have determined which are the most important variables. This study analyzes the influence of gender stereotypes, educational level, and the level of parents' sports practice on their children's practice. The sample included 965 adolescents and 1,599 parents from the Region of Murcia. The results showed differences in the sports practice of the adolescents when considering the educational level of their mothers, the physical activity carried out by the fathers on male children, the frequency of practice of the mothers for female children and gender stereotypes of the mothers. It found that gender stereotypes and parents' educational level influenced adolescents' sports practice.