HUNGARIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PATTERNS WITH REGARD TO GENDER

Abstract

The rationale behind the research is the Hungarian government’s decision to introduce daily physical education lessons in schools. The system was expanded to all grades by the 2016/2017 academic year. It aims to improve students’ health consciousness and sports habits. Hungarian high school students’ physical activity, participation in competitive sport, body mass index and lifestyle determiners were examined with regard to gender. Altogether, 333 students completed the anonymous questionnaire, their average age was 16.12. Their Body Mass Index (BMI) was used to estimate the prevalence of obesity. The association between BMI and lifestyle determiners was analysed. 63.8% of girls and 70.4% of boys exercise daily or several times a week. Girls love individual sports, while boys would rather choose team sports. More boys participate in competitive sports (26.2%) than girls (16.5%). Both genders’ biology marks are better than those of students who do no sport. 46.81% of girls and 27.59% of boys have been on a slimming diet, and a high percentage of girls were on a slimming diet, even those with a normal BMI. The results suggest that despite having five physical education (PE) lessons every week, students want to get more exercise. However, a lack of time and fatigue prevents them from doing so. Most children chose PE as their favourite subject, but out of all sporting venues it is at school that they like doing sport the least. Keywords: physical activity patterns, eating habits, physical education.