Psychosocial correlates of organized physical activity in Portuguese urban youth

Abstract - This study aimed to explore the association between psychosocial factors and organized physical activity (PA) in urban children and adolescents. Data on organized PA, psychosocial variables, and demographic characteristics were collected via questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between psychosocial correlates and organized PA. Analyses were run separately for different age groups. Results showed that children and adolescents with a greater positive attitude toward PA were more likely to be involved in organized PA. Ego orientation was associated with organized PA at the age of 13-15 years. Task orientation was related to PA participation at the age of 13-15 and 16-18 years. Perception of competence was related to participation at the age of 10-12 and 13-15 years. These findings suggest that interventions to increase the level of participation in organized PA in youth should focus on increasing students' perceived physical competence, attitude toward PA, and establishing a strong motivational task/mastery climate.

Socio-demographic correlates of leisure time physical activity among Portuguese adults / Correlatos sociodemográficos da prática de atividade física de portugueses adultos nos momentos de lazer / Factores sociodemográficos de la actividad física en el tiempo de ocio de los adultos portugueses

This study aimed to identify socio-demographic correlates of leisure time physical activity among Portuguese adults. Subjects aged 31-60 years (1,076 males, 1,383 females) were categorized into two groups according to recommended physical activities ranging from ≥ 10 or < 10 MET.hours.week-1. Leisure time physical activity data was self-reported, including activities, duration of each session and frequency. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were applied to the results. Among men, having a high socioeconomic status (OR = 1.89; 95%CI: 1.30-2.76; p = 0.001) was associated with attaining the recommended level of physical activity. For women, middle education levels were associated with physical activity (OR = 1.36; 95%CI: 1.01-1.85). Moreover, middle socioeconomic status (OR = 1.45; 95%CI: 0.80-1.91; p = 0.009) was also positively associated with meeting physical activities recommendations in the unadjusted analysis. Men and women had different patterns of socio-demographic correlates. An intervention designed to improve the levels of physical activity among Portuguese adults may take these correlates into account.

O objetivo do estudo foi identificar os correlatos sociodemográficos associados à atividade física dos adultos portugueses nos momentos de lazer. Sujeitos com idades entre os 31-60 anos (1.076 homens, 1.383 mulheres) foram categorizados como fisicamente ativos ou pouco ativos, de acordo com as recomendações da atividade física (≥ 10 MET.horas/semana ou < 10 MET.horas/semana). A atividade física foi autorreportada. O teste do qui-quadrado e regressões logísticas foram aplicados aos dados. Para os homens, um estatuto socioeconômico elevado estava associado ao cumprimento das recomendações da atividade física (OR = 1,89; IC95%: 1,30-2,76; p = 0,001). Para as mulheres, o nível educacional médio (OR = 1,36; IC95%: 1,01-1,85) e um estatuto socioeconômico médio (OR = 1,45; IC95%: 0,80-1,91; p = 0,009) estavam associados a cumprir as recomendações da atividade física. Homens e mulheres apresentaram diferentes correlatos associados à prática de atividade física. Intervenções com o objetivo de melhorar os níveis de atividade física devem considerar os diferentes correlatos identificados.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar los correlatos sociodemográficos de la actividad física, realizada durante el tiempo libre, en adultos portugueses. Los participantes con edades entre 31 y 60 años (1.079 hombres, 1.383 mujeres) fueron categorizados en dos grupos, de acuerdo con las recomendaciones de actividad física (≥ 10 MET.horas/semana ou < 10 MET.horas/semana). La actividad física fue auto-reportada. Se ha aplicado el análisis de regresión logística y el chi- cuadrado. Los hombres que tienen un alto estatus socioeconómico (OR = 1,89; IC95%: 1,30-2,76; p = 0,001) se asociaron con la consecución del nivel recomendado de actividad física. Para las mujeres, el nivel de educación medio (OR = 1,36; IC95%: 1,01-1,85) y el estado socioeconómico medio (OR = 1,45; IC95%: 0,80-1,91; p = 0,009) se asoció con la actividad física. Hombres y mujeres tienen diferentes patrones de correlatos sociodemográficos. Una intervención diseñada para mejorar los niveles de actividade física entre los adultos portugueses podrá adoptar dichas correlaciones en cuenta.