Health factors related to physical activity among children and adolescents: results from Spanish National Health Surveys 2006 and 2011/12

J Spec Pediatr Nurs. 2015 Jul;20(3):193-202. doi: 10.1111/jspn.12113. Epub 2015 Apr 10.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of physical activity during leisure time among children ages 6-14 in 2006 and 2011/12.

Design and methods: A cross-sectional study used individualized data for children 6-14 years of age from the Spanish National Health Surveys in 2006 (n = 5,108 children) and 2011/12 (n = 3,265 children).

Results: Leisure time decreased between 2006 and 2011/12(p < .05). Variables associated with increased physical activity were: normal weight (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-2.57), children perceived to be in good health by their parents (OR = 2.03;95% CI: 1.43-2.87), and less than 2 hr of screen time per day(OR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.61-2.47).

Practice implications: Primary care-based nurses are essential to improving adherence to physical activity.

Keywords: Child health; disease prevention; epidemiology; health risk behaviors lifestyle; obesity; physical activity.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / ethnology*
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / ethnology*
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Behavior / ethnology*
  • Health Surveys
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Leisure Activities / psychology
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prevalence
  • Sedentary Behavior / ethnology*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires