Characteristics of adolescents' active lifestyle in the city of Ljubljana

Purpose: The aim of our study was to analyse the characteristics of the active lifestyle of adolescents and relations to some environmental correlates in the city of Ljubljana. Methods: The characteristic of active lifestyle on the sample of 269 students of The Secondary School of Nursing Ljubljana (206 females, 63 men), aged 16-18 years) via an online questionnaire were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test was used (at p < 0.05 - 5 %. level). In the second part, half-structured interviews were conducted, with former students of same school (no. 6); to evaluated their approach to physical education hours activities, their general active lifestyle and their evaluation of the environmental correlates factors: physical (facilities, equipment), social (social support and social norms) or institutional (policies). Results: Results show that the majority of students (44.96 %) were physically active at least two to three times per week. The students partly agree (3.7/5) that sports activities play an essential role in their general lifestyle. Furthermore, they care about leading a healthy lifestyle (3.7/5), eating healthy food (3.7/5). Students evaluated physical factors as appropriate (in municipality 76.15%, at the state level 71.49%), and social (parents) support as appropriate. The former students are on the opinion that physical environmental factors around their school (facilities, equipment) are optimal, but they regret, that they were not used enough; not during PE lessons, neither in leisure time. Conclusion: Based on our results, we propose better cooperation between all included factors, which can support improvement of active lifestyle of adolescents.