Physical Activity among Italian Adolescents: Association with Life Satisfaction, Self-Rated Health and Peer Relationships

Daniela Pierannunzio, Angela Spinelli, Paola Berchialla, Alberto Borraccino, Lorena Charrier, Paola Dalmasso, Giacomo Lazzeri, Alessio Vieno, Silvia Ciardullo and Paola Nardone
Additional contact information
Daniela Pierannunzio: National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
Angela Spinelli: National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
Paola Berchialla: Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Torino, Regione Gonzole 43, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
Alberto Borraccino: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Turin, Italy
Lorena Charrier: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Turin, Italy
Paola Dalmasso: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Via Santena 5 bis, 10126 Turin, Italy
Giacomo Lazzeri: Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
Alessio Vieno: Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, 35131 Padua, Italy
Silvia Ciardullo: National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
Paola Nardone: National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 8, 1-12

Abstract: The aim of this study was to describe physical activity, both moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA), in a large nationally representative sample of Italian adolescents, aged 11, 13 and 15, and to evaluate if Italian adolescents were in line with the 2020 WHO recommendations. In order to assess the possible impact of physical activity on adolescent psychological and social wellbeing, the associations between MVPA and VPA with life satisfaction, self-rated health and peer relationships were also explored. Data from the 2018 Italian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey on 58,976 adolescents were analysed. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between physical activity and self-rated health, life satisfaction and peer relationships. The association of the Family Affluence Scale with self-rated health, life satisfaction and peer relationships was also studied. The results showed that the majority of Italian adolescents did not meet current physical activity WHO guidelines on MPVA. The prevalence of adolescents claiming to be involved “at least four or more times per week” in VPA was 29%. Overall, our findings highlighted a positive association between MVPA and VPA and life satisfaction, self-rated health and peer support. Data from this study underlined the need to encourage physical activity, especially among older adolescents and girls, who claimed lower levels of MPVA and VPA.

Keywords: physical activity; psychosocial wellbeing; adolescents; HBSC (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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