Physical activity and social support in adolescents: a population-based study

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a associa????o entre a pr??tica de atividade f??sica no lazer e o suporte social (de familiares e de amigos) em adolescente entre 10 e 19 anos. O estudo foi transversal, de base populacional, realizado em Pelotas, RS. Foram considerados ativos os adolescentes que realizavam ≥300 min/sem de atividades f??sicas no lazer. O suporte social foi estudado atrav??s da Escala de Apoio Social para a Atividade F??sica. Foram estudados 743 adolescentes. A propor????o de ativos no lazer foi de 28,2% (IC95% 24,6-31,3). Meninos com maior suporte social de amigos apresentaram uma probabilidade 68% maior de serem ativos em compara????o a seus pares sem suporte social. Meninas com suporte social elevado de familiares tiveram uma probabilidade 210% maior de serem ativas. O percentual equivalente entre os meninos foi de 46%. O incentivo de familiares e amigos para a pr??tica de atividade f??sica entre os adolescentes exerce forte influ??ncia sobre o comportamento dos jovens.The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between leisure-time physical activity and social support (from relatives and from friends) among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. This was a population-based cross-sectional study carried out in the city of Pelotas, Brazil. Adolescents were considered as active in leisure-time if reporting to practice 300 min/wk or more of physical activity. Social support was assessed through the Physical Activity Social Support Scale. The study included 743 adolescents. The proportion of active adolescents was 28.2% (95%CI 24.6-31.3). Boys who report to have higher social support from friends were 68% more likely to achieve physical activity recommendations as compared to their peers reporting no such social support. Girls with high scores of social support from the family were 210% more likely to be active than those without such a support. The equivalent proportion for boys was 46%. Social support from relatives and friends towards physical activity practice strongly influences the behavior of adolescents