Abstract

The level of out-of-school physical activity of students in primary education and compulsory secondary education is low. This lack of physical activity coupled with poor dietary habits is causing an increase in excess weight and obesity. In order to understand the level of physical activity, the objective of this study was to analyse the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and the school context on the physical activity practice of primary and compulsory secondary school students. A cross-sectional, descriptive and inferential study was carried out, involving 1,093 students from the city of Badajoz, Spain. The vast majority of the students surveyed are irregularly active and allocate very little time weekly to the practice of physical activity outside of school. No significant differences were observed in the score of physical sports practice according to gender, age and school year (p > .05); however, there were significant differences depending on the kind of school or educational programmes offered (p < .05). Students who study in schools where only primary school is taught, aged 11-12, are more physically active than those in secondary schools over the age of 13.