Does organized sport participation during youth predict healthy habits in adulthood? A 28 year longitudinal study:
Health behaviours in youth can predict the same behaviours later in life, but the role of sport participation in predicting healthy lifestyle habits is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between participation in organized youth sport and adult healthy lifestyle habits.
Recorded 21st July 2016
Contributors
Author: Palomäki M. Hirvensalo K. Smith O. Raitakari S. Männistö N. Hutri‐Kähönen T. Tammelin
Publisher: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine
Date: 2018
Geographic Coverage: Europe
Type of Resource: Research
Sector/setting: Longitudinal Research Study
Vulnerable groups: Children, Young People
Developed with children and young people? Not specified
Type of participation: N/A
Availability: Restricted Access
Keywords: Health behaviours, Longitudinal, Physical activity, Sport, Youth
Introduction
Participants who were active in youth sport in both 1983 and 1986 had almost two times greater odds of having three or four healthy habits in adulthood than those who were not active at both time points.
When the analyses were stratified by sex, the findings were statistically significant among women but not men. The results suggest that participation in organized youth sport could promote healthy lifestyle choices.