Active healthy teens meeting physical activity guidelines and the risk of overweight in adolescents

This study examined whether meeting recommended daily physical activity levels is linked to overweight status in adolescents aged 10–14. Using baseline data from 371 participants in the ADOLPA Study, only 26.9% reached the highest activity level, and 44.7% were overweight. Higher activity measured by pedometer was associated with lower odds of overweight, even after adjusting for confounders. More television viewing and lower household income increased overweight risk. Findings show that physical inactivity, greater screen time, and socioeconomic disadvantage contribute to adolescent overweight and obesity, highlighting the need for interventions that promote active lifestyles and reduce sedentary behavior.