The objective of this study was to analyze the temporal trend of physical activity and bodymass index in young adults aged 18-30 in Spain and to ascertain their relationship withsociodemographic and psychosocial variables in the period of 2009-2017.
Methods: A descriptivestudy with a sample of 10,061 young adults aged 18-30 years was performed. The data wereobtained from the European Health Survey in Spain in 2009 and 2014 and the National HealthSurvey in 2011/2012 and 2017. The chi-square test was used for qualitative variables, and multiplelinear regression analysis was performed for physical activity.
Results: Sedentary levels haddecreased in 2017 as compared to 2011/2012 (p < 0.001); smokers were more sedentary than nonsmokers(p < 0.001); men were more active than women (p < 0.001); and the year with the highestphysical activity was 2014. Body mass index in the total sample increased from 2009 to 2017 (p <0.01), showing a significant increase in obesity in women (p < 0.05) and no difference in men (p ≥0.05).
Conclusions: In the period 2011/2012-2017, the sedentary lifestyle of young adults wasreduced and physical activity was increased, with men being more active than women.
Keywords: BMI; obesity; overweight; physical activity; young adults.