Cross-sectional association between healthy and unhealthy food habits and leisure physical activity in adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To analyze associations between two physical activity domains during leisure time and different food habits in adolescents.Methods: The sample comprised 1,630 adolescents (46% male and 54% female). Physical activity level, television (TV) viewing, and eating behaviors were assessed through an interview. According to the results of the assessment, adolescents were classified as physically active or engaged in high amounts of TV viewing and unhealthy/healthy diets.Results: Male adolescents were more active than females (21.7 and 9.4%, respectively; p = 0.001), while TV viewing was more frequent in females (44.0 and 29.2%; p = 0.001). Physical activity level was related to higher consumption of fruits (OR = 1.90; 95%CI 1.39-2.60) and vegetables (OR = 1.48; 95%CI 1.09-2.01), while higher consumption of fried foods (OR = 2.13; 95%CI 1.64-2.77) and snacks (OR = 1.91; 95%CI 1.49-2.45) was associated with TV viewing.Conclusion: This study presented epidemiological information indicating that active and inactive behaviors were differently and independently associated with healthy and unhealthy diets.