Moderate-Vigorous Physical Activity, Family Support, Peer Support, and Screen Time: An Explanatory Model

Abstract

It is important to investigate how the different factors of physical activity and screen time influence each population group in order to design effective proposals for health promotion. This study aims to: (1) create an explanatory model to establish the relationships between moderate-vigorous physical activity time, screen time, family support, and peer support of adolescents in the region of Soria (Spain); (2) contrast the explanatory structural model according to the intensity of physical activity. A representative sample of 694 adolescents, aged 12–17 years, from the region of Soria was selected. The Four by One-Day Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Parent Support Scale, and the Peer Support Scale were administered. The data were treated according to a structural equation model to demonstrate the relationships between the study variables. The Chi-square p-values and standardised fit indices (CFI, NFI, IFI, TLI, and RMSEA) were appropriate. Moreover, acceptable parameters were obtained in the general equations. The theoretical model is useful to explain the relationships between moderate-vigorous physical activity, family support, peer support, and screen time. In addition, models that differentiate between moderate and vigorous physical activity independently are also useful. Peer support plays a particular role relative to physical activity time, and family support plays a specific role regarding screen time.