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Petr Badura - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • the contribution of organised Leisure Time Activities in shaping positive community health practices among 13 and 15 year old adolescents results from the health behaviours in school aged children study in italy
    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
    Co-Authors: Alberto Borraccino, Petr Badura, Giacomo Lazzeri, Omar Kakaa, Daniele Bottigliengo, Paola Dalmasso, Patrizia Lemma
    Abstract:

    Background and Objective: Participation in organised out-of-school Leisure-Time Activities (OLTAs) has been shown to have a positive impact on community health practices and to lessen inequities in social and environmental opportunities among youths. According to the social capital theory, OLTAs foster bridging ties that allow individuals to forge new, wider-ranging social connections, increasing social integration and opportunities for identity-related exploration. This study aimed to describe participation in different types of OLTAs and its association with perceived life satisfaction, physical activity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and drunkenness in a representative sample of youths. Methods: A representative sample of 11-, 13- and 15-year-old students (n = 47,799) was recruited throughout all Italian regions within the Italian 2013/2014 Health Behaviours in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. Data were collected according to the HBSC study protocol. Participants were compared on outcomes according to OLTA participation type (i.e., non-sport, sport-only, and mixed vs. no-OLTA). In accordance with the study sampling procedures, hierarchical logistic regression models were used. Results: Participation in OLTAs was significantly associated with high life satisfaction in all ages (sport-only: odds ratio (OR) = 1.67, 1.48 and 1.55 for 11- 13- and 15-year-olds; mixed: OR = 1.95, 1.60 and 1.45, respectively). Youths participating in OLTAs were more likely to meet physical activity recommendations and report lower rates of tobacco use and drunkenness. Conclusions: Participation in OLTAs showed a favourable impact on health behaviours. Thus, community organisations and clubs, whether supported by public investments, could contribute to the enhancement of beneficial health practices, by engaging and serving the community as a whole and further reducing inequities in both social and environmental opportunities.

  • Healthy adolescence in the context of Leisure Time : The role of organized and unstructured Leisure-Time Activities
    2018
    Co-Authors: Petr Badura
    Abstract:

    Organised Activities good for the health and school performance of adolescents Leisure Time represents a large portion of adolescents’ Time budgets, and the ways it is spent substantially determines their lifestyle and health-related behaviours. Most research on Leisure, and organized Activities in particular, has thus far been conducted in the USA and Canada. Studies from European countries on this topic are scarce. Therefore, this thesis aimed to examine the associations of adolescents’ participation in organized Leisure-Time Activities (OLTA) and unstructured Activities (UA) with health- and school-related outcomes, using a large representative sample of Czech adolescents who participated in the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. OLTA participants were more likely to report enhanced physical and mental health and good school functioning than non-participants. Moreover, participation in OLTA was associated with lower levels of substance use, especially in girls. Otherwise, the associations mostly held for both genders across all age categories (11-, 13- and 15-year-olds) surveyed, even after adjustment for socioeconomic status. However, they varied somewhat by pattern of OLTA participation; e.g. we observed differences in health- and school-related outcomes, with outcomes being best for those participating in the arts. Regarding UA, we found that those involved in unsupervised UA had higher rates of adverse health-behaviours and poor school performance than those who were not involved in such UA. Furthermore, those engaging only in UA were more likely to partake in adverse health behaviours and to do worse at school than those who participated in any OLTA concurrently.

  • Unhealthy eating habits and participation in organized Leisure-Time Activities in Czech adolescents
    European Journal of Pediatrics, 2018
    Co-Authors: Jaroslava Voráčová, Petr Badura, Zdenek Hamrik, Jana Holubčíková, Erik Sigmund
    Abstract:

    A healthy lifestyle habits in adolescents consist of healthy eating patterns and active ways of spending Leisure Time. This study aimed to examine the relationship between organized Leisure-Time Activities (OLTA) and eating habits in adolescence. Data from the 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study on 10,494 Czech adolescents aged 11–15 years was used. The associations of participation in OLTA with ten specific eating habits were analyzed using logistic regression. Involvement in any type of OLTA was associated with higher consumption of daily breakfast, fruit, and vegetables and a lower intake of soft drinks. Participants in non-sport and sport and other activity reported lower rates of unhealthy eating habits (e.g., lower rates of eating crisps and eating in front of the TV or computer). Participation only in sport was related to more frequent eating at fast food restaurants but less frequent snacking in front of the computer and intake of crisps.

  • Unhealthy eating habits and participation in organized Leisure-Time Activities in Czech adolescents.
    European Journal of Pediatrics, 2018
    Co-Authors: Jaroslava Voráčová, Petr Badura, Zdenek Hamrik, Jana Holubčíková, Erik Sigmund
    Abstract:

    A healthy lifestyle habits in adolescents consist of healthy eating patterns and active ways of spending Leisure Time. This study aimed to examine the relationship between organized Leisure-Time Activities (OLTA) and eating habits in adolescence. Data from the 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study on 10,494 Czech adolescents aged 11-15 years was used. The associations of participation in OLTA with ten specific eating habits were analyzed using logistic regression. Involvement in any type of OLTA was associated with higher consumption of daily breakfast, fruit, and vegetables and a lower intake of soft drinks. Participants in non-sport and sport and other activity reported lower rates of unhealthy eating habits (e.g., lower rates of eating crisps and eating in front of the TV or computer). Participation only in sport was related to more frequent eating at fast food restaurants but less frequent snacking in front of the computer and intake of crisps. Conclusion Participation in OLTA was associated with healthier eating habits (e.g., consumption of fruit and vegetables) and a lower occurrence of unhealthy eating habits (e.g., consumption of soft drinks). Alternatively, our findings indicate that non-participation in OLTA can serve as an indicator of an unhealthy lifestyle in adolescence. What is Known • Unhealthy eating habits in youth tend to persist into adulthood and are related to adverse health consequences later in life. • The type of the Leisure-Time activity (participation in sport, non-sport, sport, and other Activities) affects the strength of developmental outcomes in adolescents. What is New • Youth participating in non-sport activity and sport and other activity concurrently reported lower rates of unhealthy eating habits (e.g., eating junk food, eating in front of the TV/computer). • Non-participation in OLTA could be viewed as a potential risk factor for an unhealthy lifestyle in adolescents.

  • Can organized Leisure-Time Activities buffer the negative outcomes of unstructured Activities for adolescents' health?
    International Journal of Public Health, 2018
    Co-Authors: Petr Badura, Erik Sigmund, Andrea Madarasova Geckova, Jitse P. Van Dijk, Dagmar Sigmundová, Sijmen A. Reijneveld
    Abstract:

    We aimed to assess the associations of involvement in selected unstructured Activities (UA) with health-risk behaviours and academic achievement and the degree to which the participation in organized Leisure-Time Activities (OLTA) changes these associations. Using a sample of 6935 Czech adolescents aged 13 and 15 years, we investigated adolescents’ weekly involvement in hanging out, visiting shopping malls for fun and meeting friends after 8 p.m., OLTA and engagement in three health-risk behaviours and academic achievement. Weekly involvement in the selected UA was associated with higher odds for regular smoking, being drunk, having early sexual intercourse and low academic achievement. Concurrent participation in OLTA did not buffer these negative outcomes, except for sexual experience. However, those highly engaged only in UA were more likely to participate in the health-risk behaviours and report worse academic achievement than those participating in any OLTA concurrently. The selected UA are strongly associated with an increased occurrence of adolescents’ health-risk behaviours and low academic achievement. Concurrent participation in OLTA does not buffer these negative outcomes significantly, but adolescents engaged only in UA consistently report the least favourable outcomes.

Erik Sigmund - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Unhealthy eating habits and participation in organized Leisure-Time Activities in Czech adolescents
    European Journal of Pediatrics, 2018
    Co-Authors: Jaroslava Voráčová, Petr Badura, Zdenek Hamrik, Jana Holubčíková, Erik Sigmund
    Abstract:

    A healthy lifestyle habits in adolescents consist of healthy eating patterns and active ways of spending Leisure Time. This study aimed to examine the relationship between organized Leisure-Time Activities (OLTA) and eating habits in adolescence. Data from the 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study on 10,494 Czech adolescents aged 11–15 years was used. The associations of participation in OLTA with ten specific eating habits were analyzed using logistic regression. Involvement in any type of OLTA was associated with higher consumption of daily breakfast, fruit, and vegetables and a lower intake of soft drinks. Participants in non-sport and sport and other activity reported lower rates of unhealthy eating habits (e.g., lower rates of eating crisps and eating in front of the TV or computer). Participation only in sport was related to more frequent eating at fast food restaurants but less frequent snacking in front of the computer and intake of crisps.

  • Unhealthy eating habits and participation in organized Leisure-Time Activities in Czech adolescents.
    European Journal of Pediatrics, 2018
    Co-Authors: Jaroslava Voráčová, Petr Badura, Zdenek Hamrik, Jana Holubčíková, Erik Sigmund
    Abstract:

    A healthy lifestyle habits in adolescents consist of healthy eating patterns and active ways of spending Leisure Time. This study aimed to examine the relationship between organized Leisure-Time Activities (OLTA) and eating habits in adolescence. Data from the 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study on 10,494 Czech adolescents aged 11-15 years was used. The associations of participation in OLTA with ten specific eating habits were analyzed using logistic regression. Involvement in any type of OLTA was associated with higher consumption of daily breakfast, fruit, and vegetables and a lower intake of soft drinks. Participants in non-sport and sport and other activity reported lower rates of unhealthy eating habits (e.g., lower rates of eating crisps and eating in front of the TV or computer). Participation only in sport was related to more frequent eating at fast food restaurants but less frequent snacking in front of the computer and intake of crisps. Conclusion Participation in OLTA was associated with healthier eating habits (e.g., consumption of fruit and vegetables) and a lower occurrence of unhealthy eating habits (e.g., consumption of soft drinks). Alternatively, our findings indicate that non-participation in OLTA can serve as an indicator of an unhealthy lifestyle in adolescence. What is Known • Unhealthy eating habits in youth tend to persist into adulthood and are related to adverse health consequences later in life. • The type of the Leisure-Time activity (participation in sport, non-sport, sport, and other Activities) affects the strength of developmental outcomes in adolescents. What is New • Youth participating in non-sport activity and sport and other activity concurrently reported lower rates of unhealthy eating habits (e.g., eating junk food, eating in front of the TV/computer). • Non-participation in OLTA could be viewed as a potential risk factor for an unhealthy lifestyle in adolescents.

  • Can organized Leisure-Time Activities buffer the negative outcomes of unstructured Activities for adolescents' health?
    International Journal of Public Health, 2018
    Co-Authors: Petr Badura, Erik Sigmund, Andrea Madarasova Geckova, Jitse P. Van Dijk, Dagmar Sigmundová, Sijmen A. Reijneveld
    Abstract:

    We aimed to assess the associations of involvement in selected unstructured Activities (UA) with health-risk behaviours and academic achievement and the degree to which the participation in organized Leisure-Time Activities (OLTA) changes these associations. Using a sample of 6935 Czech adolescents aged 13 and 15 years, we investigated adolescents’ weekly involvement in hanging out, visiting shopping malls for fun and meeting friends after 8 p.m., OLTA and engagement in three health-risk behaviours and academic achievement. Weekly involvement in the selected UA was associated with higher odds for regular smoking, being drunk, having early sexual intercourse and low academic achievement. Concurrent participation in OLTA did not buffer these negative outcomes, except for sexual experience. However, those highly engaged only in UA were more likely to participate in the health-risk behaviours and report worse academic achievement than those participating in any OLTA concurrently. The selected UA are strongly associated with an increased occurrence of adolescents’ health-risk behaviours and low academic achievement. Concurrent participation in OLTA does not buffer these negative outcomes significantly, but adolescents engaged only in UA consistently report the least favourable outcomes.

  • Participation in organized Leisure-Time Activities and risk behaviors in Czech adolescents.
    International Journal of Public Health, 2016
    Co-Authors: Petr Badura, Erik Sigmund, Andrea Madarasova Geckova, Jitse P. Van Dijk, Dagmar Sigmundová, Sijmen A. Reijneveld
    Abstract:

    Objectives The study aimed to assess the associations between participation in organized Leisure-Time Activities (OLTA) and risk behaviors, and whether the associations differed by gender, age, and pattern of OLTA involvement.

  • Is Participation in Organized Leisure-Time Activities Associated with School Performance in Adolescence?
    PLOS ONE, 2016
    Co-Authors: Petr Badura, Erik Sigmund, Andrea Madarasova Geckova, Jitse P. Van Dijk, Dagmar Sigmundová, Jan Sirucek, Sijmen A. Reijneveld
    Abstract:

    Background Organized Leisure-Time Activities (OLTA) have been identified as a context suitable for improvement of school performance. This study aimed to assess the associations between participation in OLTA and school engagement, school-related stress, academic achievement and whether these associations differ by specific pattern of OLTA participation, gender and age. Furthermore, it assessed whether OLTA participants are more likely to acquire support for schoolwork from outside the family. Methods The sample concerned 10,483 adolescents (49.2% boys) aged 11, 13 and 15 from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children data collection in 2014 in the Czech Republic. Logistic regressions adjusted for gender and age were used to analyse the associations between participation in OLTA and four education-related outcomes. Results Participation in OLTA was associated with higher school engagement, lower levels of school-related stress and better academic achievement regardless of gender and age. The strongest associations were observed for adolescents involved in various types of OLTA concurrently, with odds ratios ranging from 1.34 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-1.54) for lower school-related stress to 1.97 (95% CI 1.73-2.25) for above-average academic achievement. OLTA participants were also more likely to have a non-familial person to help them with schoolwork, though this association was weaker in 15-year-olds. Conclusion Youth involvement in OLTA is linked to general better school performance and attachment to school. Adolescents participating in more Activities at the same Time have the best school performance.

Heléne Bertéus Forslund - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Dietary intake, Leisure Time Activities and obesity among adolescents in Western Sweden : a cross-sectional study
    Nutrition Journal, 2016
    Co-Authors: Anna Winkvist, Bodil Hultén, Jeong-lim Kim, Ingegerd Johansson, Kjell Torén, Jonas Brisman, Heléne Bertéus Forslund
    Abstract:

    Overweight and obesity among adolescents are increasing worldwide. Risk factors include dietary intake characteristics and high levels of physical inactivity. In Sweden, few large comprehensive population-based surveys of dietary intake and lifestyle among adolescents have been carried out. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to describe dietary intake and food choices as well as Leisure Time Activities in relation to overweight and obesity in a total sample of all schoolchildren aged 15 years in Western Sweden. In 2008, a questionnaire was sent to all 21,651 adolescents born in 1992 in Vastra Gotaland Region, Sweden. Participation rate was 54.3 % (50.7 % girls/49.3 % boys). The questionnaire included a 73-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and questions on lifestyle. Results were evaluated against the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and Swedish indicators of healthy diet and exercise habits. Associations with concurrent overweight and obesity were evaluated in multiple linear regression analysis. Among girls, 49.5 % reached the goal of consuming fruit and vegetables at least daily, whereas for boys the figure was 34.4 %. Among both sexes, 15 % reached the goal of consuming fish at least twice weekly. Two-thirds of both sexes reached the goal of regular moderate or vigorous physical activity weekly. In total, 12.4 % were overweight and 2.4 % were obese. More girls than boys were underweight, whereas more boys than girls were overweight or obese (p 

  • dietary intake Leisure Time Activities and obesity among adolescents in western sweden a cross sectional study
    Nutrition Journal, 2015
    Co-Authors: Anna Winkvist, Bodil Hultén, Jeong-lim Kim, Ingegerd Johansson, Kjell Torén, Jonas Brisman, Heléne Bertéus Forslund
    Abstract:

    Overweight and obesity among adolescents are increasing worldwide. Risk factors include dietary intake characteristics and high levels of physical inactivity. In Sweden, few large comprehensive population-based surveys of dietary intake and lifestyle among adolescents have been carried out. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to describe dietary intake and food choices as well as Leisure Time Activities in relation to overweight and obesity in a total sample of all schoolchildren aged 15 years in Western Sweden. In 2008, a questionnaire was sent to all 21,651 adolescents born in 1992 in Vastra Gotaland Region, Sweden. Participation rate was 54.3 % (50.7 % girls/49.3 % boys). The questionnaire included a 73-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and questions on lifestyle. Results were evaluated against the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and Swedish indicators of healthy diet and exercise habits. Associations with concurrent overweight and obesity were evaluated in multiple linear regression analysis. Among girls, 49.5 % reached the goal of consuming fruit and vegetables at least daily, whereas for boys the figure was 34.4 %. Among both sexes, 15 % reached the goal of consuming fish at least twice weekly. Two-thirds of both sexes reached the goal of regular moderate or vigorous physical activity weekly. In total, 12.4 % were overweight and 2.4 % were obese. More girls than boys were underweight, whereas more boys than girls were overweight or obese (p < 0.001). Boys exhibited a more frequent intake of sodas and concentrated fruit juices, milk 3 % fat, bread and potatoes and fast food (p < 0.001). Frequent intake of candies and chocolate was reported by both sexes. Among girls and boys, living in rural areas, living in apartments and reporting no frequent Leisure Time physical activity were significant risk factors for being overweight or obese, also when adjusted for other risk factors. Dietary habits of adolescents in Western Sweden warrant improvements. Public health actions should be taken to increase consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish, and decrease consumption of sodas and candies and also to increase frequency of physical activity. These actions may be helpful in reducing risks for overweight and obesity.

Claudia Voelcker-rehage - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Regular participation in Leisure Time Activities and high cardiovascular fitness improve motor sequence learning in older adults.
    Psychological Research-psychologische Forschung, 2020
    Co-Authors: K. Zwingmann, Lena Hübner, Willem B. Verwey, J.s. Barnhoorn, Ben Godde, Claudia Voelcker-rehage
    Abstract:

    Older adults show higher interindividual performance variability during the learning of new motor sequences than younger adults. It is largely unknown what factors contribute to this variability. This study aimed to, first, characterize age differences in motor sequence learning and, second, examine influencing factors for interindividual performance differences. 30 young adults (age M = 21.89, SD = 2.08, 20 female) and 29 older adults (age M = 69.55, SD = 3.03, 18 female) participated in the study. Motor sequence learning was assessed with a discrete sequence production (DSP) task, requiring key presses to a sequence of visual stimuli. Three DSP practice phases (a 8 blocks × 16 sequences, two six-element sequences) and two transfer blocks (new untrained sequences) were performed. Older participants conducted the Mini-Mental Status Examination and a visuospatial working-memory task. All participants finished a questionnaire on everyday Leisure Activities and a cardiovascular fitness test. Performance speed increased with practice in both groups, but young improved more than older adults (significant Group × Time effect for response Time, F(1,5) = 4.353, p = 0.004, $$\eta_{p}^{2}$$  = 0.071). Accuracy did not change in any age group (non-significant Group × Time effect for error rates, F(1,5) = 2.130, p = 0.091, $$\eta_{p}^{2}$$  = 0.036). Older adults revealed lower transfer costs for performance speed (significant Time × Group effect, e.g., simple sequence, F(1,2) = 10.511, p = 0.002, $$\eta_{p}^{2}$$  = 0.156). High participation in Leisure Time Activities (β = − 0.58, p = 0.010, R2 = 0.45) and high cardiovascular fitness (β = − 0.49, p = 0.011, R2 = 0.45) predicted successful motor sequence learning in older adults. Results confirmed impaired motor learning in older adults. Younger adults seem to show a better implicit knowledge of the practiced sequences compared to older adults. Regular participation in Leisure Time Activities and cardiovascular fitness seem to prevent age-related decline and to facilitate motor sequence performance and motor sequence learning in older adults.

  • Regular participation in Leisure Time Activities and high cardiovascular fitness improve motor sequence learning in older adults
    Psychological Research, 2020
    Co-Authors: K. Zwingmann, Lena Hübner, Willem B. Verwey, J.s. Barnhoorn, Ben Godde, Claudia Voelcker-rehage
    Abstract:

    Introduction Older adults show higher interindividual performance variability during the learning of new motor sequences than younger adults. It is largely unknown what factors contribute to this variability. This study aimed to, first, characterize age differences in motor sequence learning and, second, examine influencing factors for interindividual performance differences. Method 30 young adults (age M  = 21.89, SD  = 2.08, 20 female) and 29 older adults (age M  = 69.55, SD  = 3.03, 18 female) participated in the study. Motor sequence learning was assessed with a discrete sequence production (DSP) task, requiring key presses to a sequence of visual stimuli. Three DSP practice phases (á 8 blocks × 16 sequences, two six-element sequences) and two transfer blocks (new untrained sequences) were performed. Older participants conducted the Mini-Mental Status Examination and a visuospatial working-memory task. All participants finished a questionnaire on everyday Leisure Activities and a cardiovascular fitness test. Results Performance speed increased with practice in both groups, but young improved more than older adults (significant Group × Time effect for response Time, F (1,5) = 4.353, p  = 0.004, $$\eta_{p}^{2}$$ η p 2  = 0.071). Accuracy did not change in any age group (non-significant Group × Time effect for error rates, F (1,5) = 2.130, p  = 0.091, $$\eta_{p}^{2}$$ η p 2  = 0.036). Older adults revealed lower transfer costs for performance speed (significant Time × Group effect, e.g., simple sequence, F (1,2) = 10.511, p  = 0.002, $$\eta_{p}^{2}$$ η p 2  = 0.156). High participation in Leisure Time Activities ( β  = − 0.58, p  = 0.010, R ^2 = 0.45) and high cardiovascular fitness ( β  = − 0.49, p  = 0.011, R ^2 = 0.45) predicted successful motor sequence learning in older adults. Discussion Results confirmed impaired motor learning in older adults. Younger adults seem to show a better implicit knowledge of the practiced sequences compared to older adults. Regular participation in Leisure Time Activities and cardiovascular fitness seem to prevent age-related decline and to facilitate motor sequence performance and motor sequence learning in older adults.

Anna Winkvist - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Dietary intake, Leisure Time Activities and obesity among adolescents in Western Sweden : a cross-sectional study
    Nutrition Journal, 2016
    Co-Authors: Anna Winkvist, Bodil Hultén, Jeong-lim Kim, Ingegerd Johansson, Kjell Torén, Jonas Brisman, Heléne Bertéus Forslund
    Abstract:

    Overweight and obesity among adolescents are increasing worldwide. Risk factors include dietary intake characteristics and high levels of physical inactivity. In Sweden, few large comprehensive population-based surveys of dietary intake and lifestyle among adolescents have been carried out. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to describe dietary intake and food choices as well as Leisure Time Activities in relation to overweight and obesity in a total sample of all schoolchildren aged 15 years in Western Sweden. In 2008, a questionnaire was sent to all 21,651 adolescents born in 1992 in Vastra Gotaland Region, Sweden. Participation rate was 54.3 % (50.7 % girls/49.3 % boys). The questionnaire included a 73-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and questions on lifestyle. Results were evaluated against the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and Swedish indicators of healthy diet and exercise habits. Associations with concurrent overweight and obesity were evaluated in multiple linear regression analysis. Among girls, 49.5 % reached the goal of consuming fruit and vegetables at least daily, whereas for boys the figure was 34.4 %. Among both sexes, 15 % reached the goal of consuming fish at least twice weekly. Two-thirds of both sexes reached the goal of regular moderate or vigorous physical activity weekly. In total, 12.4 % were overweight and 2.4 % were obese. More girls than boys were underweight, whereas more boys than girls were overweight or obese (p 

  • dietary intake Leisure Time Activities and obesity among adolescents in western sweden a cross sectional study
    Nutrition Journal, 2015
    Co-Authors: Anna Winkvist, Bodil Hultén, Jeong-lim Kim, Ingegerd Johansson, Kjell Torén, Jonas Brisman, Heléne Bertéus Forslund
    Abstract:

    Overweight and obesity among adolescents are increasing worldwide. Risk factors include dietary intake characteristics and high levels of physical inactivity. In Sweden, few large comprehensive population-based surveys of dietary intake and lifestyle among adolescents have been carried out. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to describe dietary intake and food choices as well as Leisure Time Activities in relation to overweight and obesity in a total sample of all schoolchildren aged 15 years in Western Sweden. In 2008, a questionnaire was sent to all 21,651 adolescents born in 1992 in Vastra Gotaland Region, Sweden. Participation rate was 54.3 % (50.7 % girls/49.3 % boys). The questionnaire included a 73-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and questions on lifestyle. Results were evaluated against the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations and Swedish indicators of healthy diet and exercise habits. Associations with concurrent overweight and obesity were evaluated in multiple linear regression analysis. Among girls, 49.5 % reached the goal of consuming fruit and vegetables at least daily, whereas for boys the figure was 34.4 %. Among both sexes, 15 % reached the goal of consuming fish at least twice weekly. Two-thirds of both sexes reached the goal of regular moderate or vigorous physical activity weekly. In total, 12.4 % were overweight and 2.4 % were obese. More girls than boys were underweight, whereas more boys than girls were overweight or obese (p < 0.001). Boys exhibited a more frequent intake of sodas and concentrated fruit juices, milk 3 % fat, bread and potatoes and fast food (p < 0.001). Frequent intake of candies and chocolate was reported by both sexes. Among girls and boys, living in rural areas, living in apartments and reporting no frequent Leisure Time physical activity were significant risk factors for being overweight or obese, also when adjusted for other risk factors. Dietary habits of adolescents in Western Sweden warrant improvements. Public health actions should be taken to increase consumption of fruit, vegetables and fish, and decrease consumption of sodas and candies and also to increase frequency of physical activity. These actions may be helpful in reducing risks for overweight and obesity.