Social capital and physical activity participation among Turkish adolescents in urban centres: a preliminary study

Abstract

This study investigated the association between social capital (SC) indicators and physical activity (PA) participation among high school aged Turkish adolescents, in the mid-size urban city centre. Participants included 228 female and 292 male adolescents. Short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure overall and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity participation (OPAP & MVPAP) status as dependent variables. Self-perceived family, neighbourhood and school SC. Weight status, self-perceived socioeconomic status (SES, and self-rated health were included in the analyses. Chi-square test results revealed that OPAP and MVPAP status were significantly different between males and females. Multiple binary logistic regression analyses indicated that family support was positively associated with OPAP, while students’ interpersonal trust was inversely associated with OPAP and MVPAP among females. Self-rated health was associated with OPAP and MVPAP for the overall sample and male adolescents. SC indicators are associated with physical activity participation in various ways for female adolescents, yet are not associated with physical activity participation among male adolescents. These results could be useful for interventions and policies to increase and shift SC for the promotion of physical activity participation in adolescents in developing country context.

Keywords: Social capital; Physical activity; Adolescent health; Turkey; Developing country