The acquisition of a better quality of life results from several factors,
such as the food system, social and cultural norms, and family
environment. Some factors involve regulatory and commercial aspects that
shape the food system and define the availability and accessibility of
food1. In this sense, a
significant relationship between consumption of ultra-processed food and
weight, body mass index (BMI), and the abdominal perimeter has been
evidenced2. Another factor
that conditions the quality of life is the social and cultural norms
concerning physical activity, including the built environment in cities;
these environments typically restrict physical activity
possibilities1.
Indeed, a study by Álvarez et al.3, concluded that people's perception is
that the environments, due to environmental barriers, do not favor the
practice of physical activity. Besides, avoiding low energy-cost
activities, such as spending a long time sitting, should be recommended
for the population's physical activity guidelines4. In addition to the factors already
mentioned, the family environment is another variable that conditions a
good quality of life. In this sense, the family plays a fundamental role
as a model in the formation of the individual5. The last two factors (socio-cultural
norms and family environment) may condition the population's quality of
life and lead to high sedentarism levels. This latter condition
increases cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors4.
In Chile, levels of sedentary lifestyles are above 80% in most age
ranges; it ranks second among the countries with the highest prevalence
of obesity6,7. Furthermore, it has been estimated that
34.4% of the population over the age of 15 is obese8. Likewise, some studies have estimated
that by 2030 deaths attributed to obesity will exceed 200,000 and life
expectancy will decrease9.
These facts are the reason why the educational community and the social
environment of children and adolescents must make a great effort to
create and promote physical activity habits as soon as possible; thus,
there will be a greater probability of generating an active life in
adulthood10. In addition to
the physical benefits of physical activity during childhood, there are
also economic aspects that benefit from this practice; a sedentary and
obese population represents a high economic burden for the individual
and society9. In addition,
physical activity has been shown to bring socioemotional benefits, which
could turn into positive physical habits. If these positive effects are
experienced during childhood and youth, the individual will continue a
healthy lifestyle into adulthood11.
To achieve an active and healthy life, the World Health Organization
declared that children and young people from 5 to 17 years old should
spend at least 60 minutes a day in moderate to vigorous physical
activity; besides, more time investment will bring more significant
health benefits12. However,
it has been shown that over 86% of the population in Chile does not
engage in regular physical activity; this proportion is even higher
among women and people of lower socioeconomic status13. Also, most populations have a low
energy expenditure in their work-related activities14; besides, most of the population,
especially children, spend two or more hours a day watching television
or playing video or computer games15.
Therefore, parents play a very relevant role in this stage since they are
considered the first influencers for young people16. In this sense, some studies have shown
that there is a strong relationship between the physical activity
developed by parents and the acquisition of physical activity habits by
their sons and daughters; more specifically, adolescents with more
physically active parents were more physically active than peers with
less physically active parents17. Similar results have been found
concerning the influence of coaches' behavior on athletes (aspects such
as athletes' well-being18,
and abandonment of the sport)19. Therefore, a study by Sánchez et
al.20, concluded
that amusement during practice generates more adherence to sports, and
decrease premature sport abandonment. Likewise, intrinsic motivation in
the practice of physical exercise is a crucial factor to ensure active
participation in physical habits21, producing more opportunities for
socialization and greater psychological and physical well-being in
people.
The influence of the affectivity of the environment on adolescents'
physical habits is fundamental, especially at development ages22. It is very important that
adolescents know how to react to the feelings and emotions of their
age23. Besides, there is a
positive relationship between the practice of physical activity in a
child and the perceived positive emotional effects; this positive
relationship is evidenced in improved self-esteem, reduced anxiety, and
stress24. To this end, the
aim is to reinforce the child's positive attributes and diminish the
negative ones, knowing first the children's emotions, taking into
account various socio-environmental factors25.
Within these socio-environmental factors, we can mention the work of
self-confidence and self-efficacy in children and adolescents, being
these fundamental aspects to carry out successfully a task26. Activities of this style
will allow to work and to act in specific emotional scenarios of the
adolescent, such as: not to ignore its feelings and emotions; to
maintain a constant enthusiasm to carry out activities; and to control
and to know how to handle states of unhappiness and sadness, situations
of lack of interest, discouragement, and boredom27.
Over the last decades, the number of children and adolescents with
obesity has increased tenfold worldwide, and 60% of the world's
population is not physically active enough to obtain health benefits12. Thus, physical inactivity
and obesity have been declared a worldwide epidemic28. As a result of this, generating
physical habits in adolescence is vital to generate an awareness of this
problem29.
Simultaneously, it has been demonstrated that an adequate support system
together with social connection with the adolescent favors the
experience of positive affective states. This creates a better emotional
management in the individual, contributing to their self-confidence and
self-efficacy30. It is
essential to achieve adherence to physical habits31 due to the positive correlation between
exercise habits in children and adolescents with active adult life32. Consequently, creating
healthy habits is of great importance to reduce sedentarism and obesity;
recognizing various social strategies could encourage the development of
physical habits and thus improve health6. However, to the best of our knowledge,
there are no up-to-date studies that reliably present the various
socio-affective agents that influence the physical habits of the
adolescent population. That is why this systematic review's objective
was to review and analyze previously published research that studied the
influence of affectivity on adolescents' physical habits.