STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF DRINKING
AND SMOKING AND SPORTS ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF ADOLESCENTS
Title.
Influence of smoking, drinking and sports
on the academic performance of adolescents. A population study.
Background.
With the aim of studying the prevalence of
back pain in adolescents, and the factors associated with
a greater risk of suffering it, the Kovacs Foundation had
earlier carried out a wide epidemiological study which included
adolescents between 13 and 15 years old and their parents
. In that study, and by means of research methods whose reliability
has already been validated, the drinking and smoking habits,
and sports activities (among other aspects) of the adolescents
were gathered as well as their academic performance.
While it is often assumed that the life style of adolescents
is associated with academic performance, there is little scientific
evidence demonstrating it.
Objectives.
To determine the association between lifestyle habits
(smoking, drinking alcohol and practicing sports) and
academic performance in adolescents.
Methodology.
It was a study of association, from the data
collected in a prior epidemiological study .
From that data, the association of academic performance with
the consumption (by the school children and their parents)
of alcohol and smoking and with practicing sports (also in
children and their parents) was analyzed, considering as potential
variables of confusion the number of hours spent daily watching
television, the parents' socio-educational level and the gender
of the student (male/female).
Participants, along with the Foundation's
Science Department.
Departments of Health and Consumer Services,
Education and Culture, and of the Presidency and Sports of
the Government of the Balearic Islands.
The study was designed and carried out by the Foundation and
was co-funded by the Kovacs Foundation and the Illesport Foundation
of the Government of the Balearic Islands.
Status.
The study was carried out to validate the
research methods used and has been published.
Eur J Public Health 1999;9(3):194-9.
Data collection has been concluded and data is currently
being analyzed.
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