Sumario: |
An inactive lifestyle is considered one
of the leading causes of obesity and
other chronic diseases.1 An active lifestyle, in contrast, is a broad concept
that incorporates exercise, recreational
activities, household and occupational activities, and active transportation.2 Although establishing an active
lifestyle early in life may promote
improved health and quality of life
in adulthood,3 several studies have
shown that physical activity starts declining early in the adolescent years4,5
and continues to decline throughout
the life span.6,7 This study aims to expand knowledge of what barriers and
motivators may contribute to this decline in physical activity, particularly
in the adolescent years.
There is a critical need for understanding the factors related to the
adoption of a healthful, active lifestyle
in the adolescent population. This issue has remarkable importance in
Latin America, where the adolescent
population (10-19 years of age) represents a significant proportion of the
general population (on average 21%),
and where very little is known about
barriers and motivators to an active
lifestyle. Specifically, in Costa Rica
more than 50% of adolescents have
been found to be at risk of inactive lifestyles, as defined by low cardiovascular
fitness.8 The prevalence of overweight,
obesity, and chronic diseases in many
Latin American countries represents
an unprecedented public health challenge that must be addressed from
the prevention standpoint.9 Developing strategies to encourage an active
lifestyle among adolescents may contribute to reducing the prevalence of
chronic disease in these countries.
This study assessed the perceptions
of rural and urban Costa Rican adolescents regarding which factors affect
their adoption of a healthful, active
lifestyle and explores their suggestions to encourage the adoption of
such a lifestyle
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