Physical activity, drugs comsuption and Risk behavior in adolescents

Abstract

There is a widespread concern about the low level of physical activity in the adolescent population, which may be associated with the consumption of substances harmful to health or the involvement in other unhealthy actions. The objective of the study was to analyze the association between the practice of physical activity as well as the performance of unhealthy behaviors such as drug use or other risk actions in adolescents. Participants were 1222 students (51.9% female), aged between 12 and 16, from different educational centers in the Region of Murcia. The APAL-Q instrument was used to measure physical activity and health and to assess the consumption of drugs and other problematic behaviors in adolescence, a survey was used based on one prepared by the Government Delegation for the National Drug Plan. The results of the study showed that the main reason why schoolchildren do not practice physical activity is due to lack of time. About 50% of the students practiced sports according to the recommendations of the ACSM. Among students who practiced sports was a lower consumption of tobacco, hashish/marijuana. The consumption of alcohol and other drugs did not show significant differences between sedentary students and those who practiced sports. Similarly, among sedentary people there was a greater involvement in family fights and conflicts. The study raises the need to promote and facilitate the practice of physical activity at all educational levels to prevent the development of harmful behaviors for health.