title: Is physical activity associated with low-risk health behaviours among 15-year-old adolescents in Finland?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the associations between physical activity and the pattern of risk health behaviour consisting of smoking, alcohol consumption, snuff (snus), cannabis, and condom use among 15-year-old adolescents, taking their educational aspirations and family affluence into account.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were collected in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Finland in 2006. Standardised questionnaires were issued at schools to a 15-year-old nationally representative sample, of which 84.5% (1710 pupils) participated. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the associations between physical activity, pattern of risk health behaviour, family affluence, and educational aspirations. Separate models for daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) were tested. Multi-level analysis was performed in order to control the nested characteristics of the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Boys were significantly more physically active and used alcohol, cannabis, and snuff more often than girls. Girls had used a condom in their last intercourse less often than boys. The educational aspirations for higher education had the strongest association with the low-risk health behaviour, with the odds ratios in the MVPA model 3.30 (95% CI 2.41-4.55) for the boys and 3.46 (95% CI 2.56-4.67) for the girls. In the LTPA model, the corresponding odds ratios were 3.31 (95% CI 2.40-4.56) for the boys and 3.52 (95% CI 2.60-4.56) for the girls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical activity was not significantly associated with the low-risk health behaviour, whereas educational aspirations for higher education showed the strongest association. The results support the earlier studies indicating a social gradient in health-related behaviour already in adolescence.
authors: Promoting Health and Functional Ability, Tampere, Finland. mika.vuori@tampere.fi
authors: Mika T
authors: MT
authors: Vuori
authors: Lasse K
authors: LK
authors: Kannas
authors: Jari
authors: J
authors: Villberg
authors: S A Kristiina
authors: SA
authors: Ojala
authors: Jorma A
authors: JA
authors: Tynjälä
authors: Raili S
authors: RS
authors: Välimaa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D009043:Motor Activity; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless