Identifying factors associated with regular physical activity in leisure time among Canadian adolescents.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors explaining regular physical activity among Canadian adolescents.

DESIGN

A cohort study conducted over a period of 2 years.

SETTING

A French-language high school located near Québec City.

SUBJECTS

A cohort of 740 students (352 girls; 388 boys) aged 13.3 +/- 1.0 years at baseline.

MEASURES

Psychosocial, life context, profile, and sociodemographic variables were assessed at baseline and 1 and 2 years after baseline. Exercising almost every day during leisure time at each measurement time was the dependent variable.

RESULTS

The Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analysis indicated that exercising almost every day was significantly associated with a high intention to exercise (odds ratio [OR]: 8.33, confidence interval [CI] 95%: 5.26, 13.18), being satisfied with the activity practiced (OR: 2.07, CI 95%: 1.27, 3.38), perceived descriptive norm (OR: 1.82, CI 95%: 1.41, 2.35), being a boy (OR: 1.83, CI 95%: 1.37, 2.46), practicing "competitive" activities (OR: 1.80, CI 95%: 1.37, 2.36), eating a healthy breakfast (OR: 1.68, CI 95%: 1.09, 2.60), and normative beliefs (OR: 1.48, CI 95%: 1.14, 1.90). Specific GEE analysis for gender indicated slight but significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence for the need to design interventions that are gender specific and that focus on increasing intention to exercise regularly.