title: Delving into the social ecology of leisure-time physical activity among adolescents from south eastern Spain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Worldwide, there is a growing concern with adolescents' low levels of physical activity (PA). We used a comprehensive social ecological framework to uncover factors associated with leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among adolescents from southeastern Spain.
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based sample of 3249 adolescents aged 12-17 participated in a school-based survey in 2006. Potential correlates of participation in and level of LTPA were assessed through self-report. LTPA levels were also self-reported. We used gender-stratified logistic regression models to examine the associations among the variables of interest.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consistent with a social ecological perspective, analyses revealed several factors, corresponding to different levels of organization (demographic, biological, psychological, behavioral, social) and behavioral settings (family, peer group, school), significantly associated with LTPA. Some of these factors varied as a function of gender and depending on whether the outcome considered was nonparticipation vs. participation in LTPA or high vs. low level of involvement among participants. Overall, the findings highlight the role of health-related participation motives, significant others' attitudes toward PA, and grade in physical education as correlates of LTPA in this sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continued research is necessary to understand the complex interplay of factors and settings associated with adolescent LTPA and the role of gender.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garcia Bengoechea
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ruiz Juan
authors.forename: Paula Louise
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Bush
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D012572:School Health Services; D012574:Schools; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires