The aim of the present study was to describe Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence within a population of adolescents and to analyse the association of multiple factors with adherence. This included a consideration of diverse physical and mental health indicators. The present study was conducted with a representative sample of 761 adolescents (14·51 (sd 1·63) years) from twenty-five educational centres in a northern region of Spain. MD adherence was evaluated, alongside their health-related quality of life, self-esteem, body image satisfaction, BMI, physical activity (PA) level, maximum oxygen consumption, hours of nightly sleep, socio-demographic factors and academic performance. Of the adolescent population, 49 % reported high MD adherence. Being female and having higher levels of PA were found to be predictive factors of adherence to the MD. In addition, maximum oxygen consumption, the presence of environments favourable towards PA engagement and higher self-esteem were also predictive in females, whilst better academic performance and more nightly sleep were additional predictors in males. The associations found between the MD and other health indicators and habits highlight the need to develop promotion strategies from an inter-disciplinary and transversal standpoint.

Aim: Online university students face unique challenges that can impact their well-being, including sedentary lifestyles, prolonged screen exposure, and reduced physical activity. These factors have been linked to mental health issues, emphasizing the need to explore the role of physical activity in this specific population. This study aims to examine physical activity levels and the prevalence of mental health disorders, such as burnout, academic stress, sleep quality, and screen time among online university students. Subject and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 2204 university students (34.66 ± 9.15 years) undertaking an online university course. The students completed various self-report measures to assess life habits (sleep quality and screen time), physical activity levels, and indicators of mental health, including stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion. Results: Students who engaged in higher levels of physical activity reported fewer sleep problems and lower screen time on both weekdays and weekends. Also, significant differences were observed in academic stress, generally revealing better mental health outcomes. Gender differences were found in sleep problems, screen time, and depression, indicating that these variables may be influenced differently depending on gender. Conclusion: The findings suggest that physical activity influences sleep quality, screen habits, and six key mental health factors. Additionally, sleep problems, screen time, and depression should be addressed with a gender-specific approach in online education settings.

Participation in out-of-school physical activities contributes to the fulfilment of physical activity recommendations in adolescents and may have a direct influence on health. The aim of the study was to analyse the performance of extracurricular physical sports activities, assessing their relationship with various lifestyle habits and physical and psychosocial health indicators, as well as the influence of different socio-demographic variables. The study was carried out on a sample of 761 students (14.51 ± 1.63 years) from 25 educational centers. Performance of extracurricular physical sports activities, Physical activity engagement, hours of nightly sleep, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, maximum oxygen uptake, body mass index, health-related quality of life, self-esteem, satisfaction with body image were assessed and various sociodemographic factors. Being younger, being a boy, having a high socioeconomic level, having been born in Spain, residing in urban environments and being satisfied with body image were predictors of performing extracurricular physical sports activities. These factors accounted for 19.2% of physical sports participation. Likewise, adolescents who practiced these activities had lower rates of overweight / obesity and higher values of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, physical activity, health-related quality of life, self-esteem and maximum oxygen uptake. The practice of out-of-school physical activity is influenced by multiple factors that should be taken into account for its promotion. La participación en actividades físico-deportivas extraescolares contribuye al cumplimento de las recomendaciones de actividad física en los adolescentes, pudiendo tener una influencia directa en la salud. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar la realización de actividades físico-deportivas extraescolares, evaluando su relación con diversos hábitos de vida e indicadores de salud física y psicosocial, así como la influencia de diferentes variables sociodemográficas. El estudio se llevó a cabo sobre una muestra de 761 estudiantes (14,51±1,63 años) de 25 centros educativos. Se valoró la realización de actividades físico-deportivas extraescolares, nivel de actividad física, horas de sueño nocturno, adherencia a la dieta mediterránea, consumo máximo de oxígeno, índice de masa corporal, calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, autoestima, satisfacción con la imagen corporal y diversos factores sociodemográficos. Tener menor edad, ser chico, poseer un nivel socioeconómico alto, haber nacido en España, residir en entornos urbanos y estar satisfecho con la imagen corporal fueron predictores de la realización de actividades físico-deportivas extraescolares. Estos factores explicaron en un 19,2% la participación físico-deportiva. Asimismo, los adolescentes que practicaban estas actividades presentaron menores tasas de sobrepeso/obesidad y valores más altos de adherencia a la dieta mediterránea, actividad física, calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, autoestima y consumo máximo de oxígeno. La práctica de actividad físico-deportiva extraescolar está influenciada por múltiples factores que deberían ser tenidos en cuenta para su promoción.

Background/Objectives: Health-related quality of life is a key indicator of well-being during childhood and adolescence. This study analysed its association with lifestyle-related factors, body composition, physical fitness, academic performance, and sociodemographic variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 949 schoolchildren from the Canary Islands, Spain, with a mean age of 11.8 ± 1.78 years. Health-related quality of life, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and sleep problems were assessed using questionnaires, while physical fitness and body composition were measured using field-based tests and anthropometric assessments. Results: Schoolchildren in the highest health-related quality of life tertile showed higher moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, fewer sleep problems, lower body mass index and waist circumference, better lower-body explosive strength, higher cardiorespiratory fitness, and better academic indicators. The multivariable model explained 27.7% of the variance in health-related quality of life. Sleep problems showed the strongest inverse association (β = −0.352; p < 0.001), whereas Primary Education (β = 0.256; p < 0.001), perceived academic performance (β = 0.124; p < 0.001), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (β = 0.104; p = 0.001), lower-body explosive strength (β = 0.090; p = 0.045), and male gender (β = 0.094; p = 0.003) were positively associated with health-related quality of life. Conclusions: Schoolchildren’s health-related quality of life is closely related to sleep-related difficulties and, to a lesser extent, to movement behaviour, lower-body fitness, perceived academic competence, and sociodemographic factors. These results may inform integrated school-based strategies that combine sleep education, opportunities for daily movement, fitness development, and support for students’ perceived academic competence.

Sleep problems are increasingly recognized as relevant to school health, yet lifestyle, physical fitness, wellbeing, body composition, and academic functio