Understanding Health in Spanish Children: The Role of Demographics in Physical Activity and Nutrition Attitudes

Pano-Rodriguez, Alvaro; Jove Deltell, Carme; Hernández-González, Vicenç; Cirer-Sastre, Rafel; Legaz-Arrese, Alejandro; Reverter-Masia, Joaquin

doi:10.3390/children12070811

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Understanding Health in Spanish Children: The Role of Demographics in Physical Activity and Nutrition Attitudes

by

Alvaro Pano-Rodriguez

^1,2

,

Carme Jove Deltell

^1,2,

Vicenç Hernández-González

^1,2,*

,

Rafel Cirer-Sastre

^2,3

,

Alejandro Legaz-Arrese

⁴

and

Joaquin Reverter-Masia

^1,2

¹

Department of Education Science, Faculty of Education, Psychology and Social Work, University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, Spain

²

Consolidated Research Group Human Movement Generalitat de Catalunya, University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, Spain

³

National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia, University of Lleida, 25192 Lleida, Spain

⁴

Section of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22002 Huesca, Spain

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Children 2025, 12(7), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12070811

Submission received: 30 May 2025 / Revised: 18 June 2025 / Accepted: 19 June 2025 / Published: 20 June 2025

(This article belongs to the Section Global Pediatric Health)

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Abstract

Background: This study investigates the influence of sex, age, and their interaction on health behaviors, perceived physical fitness, and attitudes toward physical activity and eating among schoolchildren. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 1027 students aged 8–12 years from 15 primary schools in Lleida. Participants completed the PAQ-A for physical activity, the IFIS for perceived physical fitness, the AATPA for attitudes toward physical activity, and the AATE for attitudes toward eating. Data were analyzed using regression models to assess the effects of sex, age, and their interaction. Results: Males reported higher physical activity levels and more positive attitudes toward physical activity than females (p < 0.05). Perceived physical fitness was also greater among males (p < 0.05). Age was positively associated with physical activity and attitudes toward healthy eating, with older children reporting more favorable outcomes (p < 0.01). Significant interaction effects between sex and age were observed for physical activity levels and attitudes toward eating, indicating demographic-specific trends. Conclusions: This study highlights significant sex and age differences in children’s health behaviors and attitudes. These findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive and age-appropriate interventions to promote healthier lifestyles among schoolchildren. Future research should explore longitudinal designs to confirm these relationships over time.

Keywords: health promotion; lifestyle factors; self-reported fitness; eating habits; childhood development; demographic disparities; survey research

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MDPI and ACS Style

Pano-Rodriguez, A.; Jove Deltell, C.; Hernández-González, V.; Cirer-Sastre, R.; Legaz-Arrese, A.; Reverter-Masia, J. Understanding Health in Spanish Children: The Role of Demographics in Physical Activity and Nutrition Attitudes. Children 2025, 12, 811. https://doi.org/10.3390/children12070811

AMA Style

Pano-Rodriguez A, Jove Deltell C, Hernández-González V, Cirer-Sastre R, Legaz-Arrese A, Reverter-Masia J. Understanding Health in Spanish Children: The Role of Demographics in Physical Activity and Nutrition Attitudes. Children. 2025; 12(7):811. https://doi.org/10.3390/children12070811

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pano-Rodriguez, Alvaro, Carme Jove Deltell, Vicenç Hernández-González, Rafel Cirer-Sastre, Alejandro Legaz-Arrese, and Joaquin Reverter-Masia. 2025. "Understanding Health in Spanish Children: The Role of Demographics in Physical Activity and Nutrition Attitudes" Children 12, no. 7: 811. https://doi.org/10.3390/children12070811

APA Style

Pano-Rodriguez, A., Jove Deltell, C., Hernández-González, V., Cirer-Sastre, R., Legaz-Arrese, A., & Reverter-Masia, J. (2025). Understanding Health in Spanish Children: The Role of Demographics in Physical Activity and Nutrition Attitudes. Children, 12(7), 811. https://doi.org/10.3390/children12070811

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Understanding Health in Spanish Children: The Role of Demographics in Physical Activity and Nutrition Attitudes

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