Sports activities in relation to the smoking, alcohol, coffee and energetic drinks consumption, among adolescents in Serbia

Abstract

aim: The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence and interconnections of positive and negative life habits among adolescents in Serbia. method: The nationally representative sample consisted of 2113 adolescents (56% females and 44% males, mean age 16.73 years). The specially designed questionnaire was used to assess socio-demographic characteristics, as well as data on participants’ positive (practicing sports) and negative life habits (fast food, consumption of alcohol, energetic drinks and coØee). results: Our participants in average played sports 4 days a week, with the average training duration of about one hour, and with males practicing sports signiÚcantly more than females (F=141; p<0.001). Almost half of participants consumed energetic drinks every day. Almost quarter of participants were smokers, and as many consumed alcohol, while coØee was consumed by about a third of the subjects. Comparing to those without such habits, participants who drank coffee (F=35.03; p<0.01), alcohol (F=1.207; p<0.01) and energetic drinks (F=0.22; p<0.05), had signiÚcantly less hours of practicing sports. conclusion: The results point out to the considerable prevalence of negative habits in the Serbian representative sample of adolescents, with reciprocal association between negative and positive habits. These Úndings may have preventive implications.