engleski

Social capital and physical activity among croatian high school students: a school type based cross-sectional study

Background: Recent scientific research indicates that school social capital is mostly associated with the students’ health predictors. A higher level of physical activity was detected in boys attending comprehensive school or high school, while those in vocational schools were less active. The aim of this study was to evaluate the link between social capital and the level of physical activity among vocational and public high school students and to determine gender differences. Methods: The participants were high school students from the city of Zagreb, Croatia (N=3, 427). The dependent variable was the level of physical activity, assessed through the abbreviated version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Independent variables were social capital indicators and the school type. The questionnaires were distributed during PE classes and were filled out by the students. Data analysis involved the descriptive statistic parameters for the physical activity variable and the frequency response for the social capital variables. Statistically significant differences were tested using the Mann-Whitney U test and the link between social capital and physical activity were assessed using a series of logistic regressions. Results: Results indicate a significant difference in the physical activity level between students attending public and vocational high schools (5410.20 ± 6279.14 vs 6480.80 ± 7586.09 MET-min/week). The logistic regression analysis determined a significant association between the physical activity level and informal social control (p=0.01), student interpersonal trust (p=0.04), and student collaboration in school (p=0.03) for students attending public high schools. Conclusions: The present study indicates that higher levels of social capital are associated with higher physical activity in boys attending public high schools. High informal social control is associated with higher physical activity in girls attending public high schools.

social capital ; physical activity level ; high school students ; school type

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