Levels of Physical Activity, Obesity and Related Factors in Young Adults Aged 18–30 during 2009–2017

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the temporal trend of physical activity and bodymass index in young adults aged 18–30 in Spain and to ascertain their relationship withsociodemographic and psychosocial variables in the period of 2009–2017. Methods: A descriptivestudy with a sample of 10,061 young adults aged 18–30 years was performed. The data wereobtained from the European Health Survey in Spain in 2009 and 2014 and the National HealthSurvey in 2011/2012 and 2017. The chi-square test was used for qualitative variables, and multiplelinear regression analysis was performed for physical activity. Results: Sedentary levels haddecreased in 2017 as compared to 2011/2012 (p < 0.001); smokers were more sedentary than nonsmokers(p < 0.001); men were more active than women (p < 0.001); and the year with the highestphysical activity was 2014. Body mass index in the total sample increased from 2009 to 2017 (p <0.01), showing a significant increase in obesity in women (p < 0.05) and no difference in men (p ≥0.05). Conclusions: In the period 2011/2012–2017, the sedentary lifestyle of young adults wasreduced and physical activity was increased, with men being more active than women.