Physical activity and sedentary lifestyle: family and sociodemographic determinants and their impact on adolescents' health/Actividad física y sedentarismo: determinantes sociodemográicos, familiares y su impacto en la salud del adolescente

Objective Estimating whether adolescents' sedentary behaviour and their lack of physical activity is determined by family characteristics or socio-cultural aspects and their impact on health and adiposity level. Material and Methods 932 adolescents were surveyed. Information regarding physical activity, sedentary behaviour, anthropometric index and family characteristics (structure, dynamics and functioning) was estimated by adolescents answering a questionnaire. Results The sample's average age was 16.07 [+ or -] 1.09 years old, 56.3% were female, 66.3% had a low level of physical activity and 51.9% were sedentary. A lack of physical activity occurred more frequently in females (56.8% cf 41.5%: p = 0.000); family characteristics did not influence such risk behaviour. A relationship between physical activity and sedentary lifestyle with BMI could not be demonstrated, whilst waist circumference was associated with risky behaviour patterns. Teenagers in good health were more active (36.1% cf 27%) and less sedentary (49.3% cf 59.4%) than those for whom an unhealthy state was reported. Conclusion Sedentary behaviour and a lack of physical activity were more determined by socio-demographic factors than family aspects, such behaviour pattern having a direct influence on the adolescents' health. Key Words: Adolescent, sedentary lifestyle, physical activity, family (source: MeSH, NLM). Objetivo Determinar la asociacion de las conductas sedentarias y falta de actividad fisica en adolescente con caracteristicas de la familia y/o aspectos sociodemograficos. De manera secundaria, si estas conductas influyen sobre el estado de salud y su riesgo cardiovascular. Material y Metodos Se encuesto a una muestra aleatoria de adolescentes acerca de la frecuencia de actividad fisica y conductas sedentarias; estado de salud, indices antropometricos; estructura, dinamica y funcionalidad familiar. Resultados Fueron encuestados 932 adolescentes, promedio de edad 16.07 [+ or -] 1.09 anos, 56,3% fueron mujeres. El 66,3% tenia un nivel de actividad fisica menor al recomendado y el 51,9% eran sedentarios. La falta de actividad fisica y las conductas sedentarias estuvieron asociada con el genero (mujeres 56,8% vs. 45,4% hombres, p [less than or equal to] 0.01, mujeres 56,8% vs. 45,4% hombres, p = 0.000 respectivamente). Las caracteristicas de la familia no influyeron sobre estas conductas de riesgo. No se pudo demostrar la relacion entre la actividad fisica y sedentarismo con el IMC a di