Assessment of dietary patterns, physical activity levels, and sedentary lifestyle in adolescents from an urban high school

Authors

  • Miguel A Lecina-Monge Research Group in Training, Physical Activity and Sports Performance (ENFYRED), University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain / Department of Physiatry and Nursing, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0454-6302
  • Iván Asín-Izquierdo Research Group in Training, Physical Activity and Sports Performance (ENFYRED), University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain / Department of Music, Plastic and Body Expression, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Teruel, Spain / Science-Based Training Research Group, Physical Performance and Sports Research Center, “Pablo de Olavide” University, Seville, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0541-2050
  • Carlos D Gómez-Carmona Research Group in Training, Physical Activity and Sports Performance (ENFYRED), University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain / Department of Music, Plastic and Body Expression, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Teruel, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4084-8124
  • Alejandro García-Gimenez Research Group in Training, Physical Activity and Sports Performance (ENFYRED), University of Zaragoza, Huesca, Spain / Real Club Deportivo Mallorca Performance and Medical Center, Palma, Spain. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1869-6854
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.695111
Keywords: Exercise, Habits, Screen Time, Urban Environment, Health Promotion

Abstract

This quantitative cross-sectional study evaluated nutritional habits, physical activity levels, and sedentary behaviors in 62 students in 4th grade of secondary education (15.44±0.62 years) from a public high school in Zaragoza, Spain. Results showed that students consumed an average of 1.98±1.42 servings of fruit and 2.05±1.61 servings of vegetables daily, with higher intake of meat (2.00±1.24) than fish (1.00±1.21). Gender differences were found (p<0.05): males consumed more meat while females ate more vegetables and practiced voluntary fasting more frequently. On average, students engaged in physical activity 3.15±2.62 days per week, with males being significantly more active. Screen time was considerable (1.52±0.88 hours TV; 2.73±1.34 video games). Correlations revealed positive associations between physical activity and healthy food consumption (r>0.39), while sedentary behaviors were related to unhealthy foods (r>0.43). These findings suggest the need for specific interventions that promote healthy habits within the school environment.

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Published
31-12-2025
How to Cite
Lecina-Monge, M. A., Asín-Izquierdo, I., Gómez-Carmona, C. D., & García-Gimenez, A. (2025). Assessment of dietary patterns, physical activity levels, and sedentary lifestyle in adolescents from an urban high school. SPORT TK-EuroAmerican Journal of Sport Sciences, 14, 158. https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.695111
Issue
Vol. 14 (2025)
Section
Articles

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The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:

1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.

© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013

2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.

3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community.