The Contribution of Organised Leisure-Time Activities in Shaping Positive Community Health Practices among 13- and 15-Year-Old Adolescents: Results from the Health Behaviours in School-Aged Children Study in Italy

Alberto Borraccino, Giacomo Lazzeri, Omar Kakaa, Petr Bad’ura, Daniele Bottigliengo, Paola Dalmasso and Patrizia Lemma
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Alberto Borraccino: Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy
Giacomo Lazzeri: Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Omar Kakaa: Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy
Petr Bad’ura: Institute of Active Lifestyle, Faculty of Physical Culture, Palacky University, 77147 Olomouc, Czech Republic
Daniele Bottigliengo: Department of Cadiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy
Paola Dalmasso: Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy
Patrizia Lemma: Department of Public Health and Paediatrics, University of Torino, 10124 Torino, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-12

Abstract: Background and Objective : Participation in organised out-of-school leisure-time activities (OLTAs) has been shown to have a positive impact on community health practices and to lessen inequities in social and environmental opportunities among youths. According to the social capital theory, OLTAs foster bridging ties that allow individuals to forge new, wider-ranging social connections, increasing social integration and opportunities for identity-related exploration. This study aimed to describe participation in different types of OLTAs and its association with perceived life satisfaction, physical activity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and drunkenness in a representative sample of youths. Methods: A representative sample of 11-, 13- and 15-year-old students ( n = 47,799) was recruited throughout all Italian regions within the Italian 2013/2014 Health Behaviours in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. Data were collected according to the HBSC study protocol. Participants were compared on outcomes according to OLTA participation type (i.e., non-sport, sport-only, and mixed vs. no-OLTA). In accordance with the study sampling procedures, hierarchical logistic regression models were used. Results: Participation in OLTAs was significantly associated with high life satisfaction in all ages (sport-only: odds ratio (OR) = 1.67, 1.48 and 1.55 for 11- 13- and 15-year-olds; mixed: OR = 1.95, 1.60 and 1.45, respectively). Youths participating in OLTAs were more likely to meet physical activity recommendations and report lower rates of tobacco use and drunkenness. Conclusions: Participation in OLTAs showed a favourable impact on health behaviours. Thus, community organisations and clubs, whether supported by public investments, could contribute to the enhancement of beneficial health practices, by engaging and serving the community as a whole and further reducing inequities in both social and environmental opportunities.

Keywords: organized leisure-time activities (OLTA); physical activity recommendations; health practices; alcohol and tobacco use; life satisfaction; HBSC (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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