Relationship of physical activity and sedentarism with tobacco and alcohol consumption, and Mediterranean diet in Spanish teenagers

Nutr Hosp. 2015 Apr 1;31(4):1693-700. doi: 10.3305/nh.2015.31.4.8256.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Background and objectives: This study examined the association of physical activity and sedentarism with tobacco and alcohol consumption, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in teenagers of both genders.

Methods: A total number of 1897 Spanish teenagers (12-16 year-olds) took part in the present cross-sectional study. The variables were measured by means of questionnaires previously validated for these ages.

Results: Physical activity was positively associated to the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet for both genders (ß = .144, P < .001 for boys and ß = .066, P< .05 for girls), and inversely associated to smoking for boys (ß = -.135, P = <.001). Sedentary behaviors for leisure purposes (TV and PC) were negatively associated to adherence to the Mediterranean diet for both boys (ß =-.100 and ß = -.104, both P < .05, respectively) and girls (ß= -.148 and ß = -.141, both P <.001), and positively associated to alcohol consumption for girls (ß = .114, P < .01 and ß = .199, P < .001, respectively).

Conclusion: results suggest that physical activity and sedentary behaviors have an important relationship with the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in teenagers. Also, higher levels of physical activity in boys can lead to reduced tobacco use, while watching TV and PC leisure can lead to increased alcohol consumption in girls.

Introducción y objetivos: Este estudio examinó la asociación de la actividad física y el sedentarismo con el consumo de alcohol y tabaco, y la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea en adolescentes de ambos sexos. Métodos: Un total de 1897 adolescentes españoles (12-16 años) participaron en el presente estudio transversal. Las variables fueron medidas mediante cuestionarios previamente validados para estas edades. Resultados: La actividad física estuvo positivamente asociada con el grado de adherencia a la dieta mediterránea en ambos sexos (ß = ,144, P < ,001 para chicos y ß = ,066, P < ,05 en chicas), e inversamente asociada con el tabaquismo en chicos (ß = -,135, P =.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology*
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet, Mediterranean / statistics & numerical data*
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leisure Activities
  • Male
  • Sedentary Behavior*
  • Sex Factors
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Tobacco Use / epidemiology*