Effects of physical activity and sport on healthy lifestyles in adolescence according to gender

The objective of the study consists in analysing the effect of physical activity and sport on adolescents' healthy lifestyles. The study was conducted with a representative sample of teenagers between 11 and 15 years of age (N = 967) from the Community of Valencia and the instrument used was the Spanish translation (Balaguer, 2000, 2002) of an adaptation of the Inventory of Health Behaviours in School-Age Children (Wold, 1995). The hypothesis was posited that both physical activity as well as sport will be negatively related to the consumption of health-endangering substances (tobacco, alcohol and cannabis) and an unhealthy diet and positively to a healthy diet. The results provide information on the implications that both practices have on the classic health behaviours that make up the adolescent lifestyle.