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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Is physical activity associated with low-risk health behaviours among 15-year-old adolescents in Finland?

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Aims: To investigate the associations between physical activity and the pattern of risk health behaviour consisting of smoking, alcohol consumption, snuff (snus), cannabis, and condom use among 15-year-old adolescents, taking their educational aspirations and family affluence into account. Methods: The data were collected in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Finland in 2006. Standardised questionnaires were issued at schools to a 15-year-old nationally representative sample, of which 84.5% (1710 pupils) participated. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the associations between physical activity, pattern of risk health behaviour, family affluence, and educational aspirations. Separate models for daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) were tested. Multi-level analysis was performed in order to control the nested characteristics of the data. Results: Boys were significantly more physically active and used alcohol, cannabis, and snuff more often than girls. Girls had used a condom in their last intercourse less often than boys. The educational aspirations for higher education had the strongest association with the low-risk health behaviour, with the odds ratios in the MVPA model 3.30 (95% CI 2.41–4.55) for the boys and 3.46 (95% CI 2.56–4.67) for the girls. In the LTPA model, the corresponding odds ratios were 3.31 (95% CI 2.40–4.56) for the boys and 3.52 (95% CI 2.60–4.56) for the girls. Conclusions: Physical activity was not significantly associated with the low-risk health behaviour, whereas educational aspirations for higher education showed the strongest association. The results support the earlier studies indicating a social gradient in health-related behaviour already in adolescence.