The Role of the Family Microenvironment in Adolescents’ Physical Activity and Nutritional Status

Abstract

Background: Adolescents’ physical activity, BMI-derived weight status, and weight perception are associated with their current and future health. This study examined the associations of family microenvironmental characteristics and perceived social support with these outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was conducted among 411 Hungarian secondary school students aged 14–18 years. Physical activity was assessed using HBSC-based self-report items capturing weekly frequency and an operationalized indicator combining activity intensity and duration. Perceived social support was measured using the MSPSS. BMI-derived weight status was determined using age- and sex-specific percentiles calculated from self-reported height and weight. Chi-square tests and logistic regression models were applied. Results: Family background characteristics and perceived social support were not significantly associated with the examined physical activity indicators. Overall, 57.4% of participants had normal weight, while 26.7% were classified as having overweight or obesity. Only 55.2% accurately perceived their BMI-derived weight status. Exploratory coefficients suggested possible associations between selected family characteristics and BMI-derived weight status, although the corresponding overall models were not statistically significant. Higher perceived peer support was associated with lower odds of weight underestimation, whereas the association between perceived family support and weight overestimation did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Exploratory findings suggested possible associations of selected family and psychosocial characteristics with BMI-derived weight status and weight perception. Given the cross-sectional design, convenience sampling, self-reported anthropometric data, use of national BMI reference values, and limited explanatory performance of several models, the findings require cautious interpretation and should not be considered evidence of causal relationships.