How many children and adolescents in Spain comply with the recommendations on physical activity?
OBJECTIVE
Physical inactivity is likely one of the main causes of obesity and other chronic diseases. This study shows descriptive data on physical activity and compliance with the health enhancing physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents and the determining factors among the Spanish population.


METHODS
The population of the study was enrolled for the enKid study, a cross-sectional study carried out on a representative sample of Spanish children, adolescents and youth to evaluate nutritional status and food intake. A subsample of the enKid study including individuals from 6 to 18 years was evaluated for compliance with the recommendation for health enhancing physical activity.


RESULTS
The results showed that only 48% of individuals from 6 to 18 years did at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Forty nine percent of girls and 37% of boys did not practice any sports during their leisure time. The percentage of active people diminishes as they get older, especially with reference to girls. Social status and mother's educational level act positively on the level of physical activity of the population.


CONCLUSIONS
Exercise is not a widespread leisure time activity in Spanish children and youth and few individuals did enough exercise for health promotion. Public health campaigns should take into account socio-economic variables and improve the access to sports facilities.
Roman
B
B
Community Nutrition Research Centre, Scientific Park of the University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Serra-Majem
L
L
Ribas-Barba
L
L
Pérez-Rodrigo
C
C
Aranceta
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000592:standards*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D040241:Social Marketing; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires