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Adolescence is a decisive stage in human development during which individuals can experience intense physical, psychological, emotional and social changes. The objective of the study was to analyse the lifestyle differences associated with the health of adolescents as a function of gender. For this, a cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 761 adolescents, distributed between 383 males (14.55 ± 1.64 years) and 378 females (14.46 ± 1.63 years). Relative to males, females presented significantly lower values for engaging in physical activity, maximal oxygen uptake, physical wellbeing, psychological wellbeing and body satisfaction. In exchange, females demonstrated higher vegetable consumption in the daily diet and greater satisfaction in the educational context. Weak or moderate associations were observed amongst the various variables of physical and mental health in both sexes, with these being stronger in females. In particular, the association of the Mediterranean diet with better quality of life, self-esteem and physical activity engagement stands out. Further, exclusively in the case of females, associations were identified between quality of life and body satisfaction. The significant differences found according to the gender of adolescents suggest that educational and health organisations should give more consideration to establishing intervention strategies that are appropriate to the needs of each gender. Specific intervention is important, particularly in the case of females. This should aim to improve self-esteem, combat pressure and social stereotypes around their body figure, and sculpt physical practice so that it is adapted to their interests, needs and tastes, improving their experience with PA.

Background: Adolescence is a decisive stage in human development during which intense physical, psychological, emotional and social changes are experienced. The aim of the present study was to analyse the lifestyle differences related with the health of adolescents enrolled in first year (13.01 ± 0.62 years old) and fourth year of secondary education (16.02 ± 0.63 years old) from a region in the North of Spain. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 761 adolescents from twenty-five educational centres in a northern region of Spain. The sample was made up of 383 first year students and 378 fourth year students. Physical activity engagement, health-related quality of life, self-esteem, adherence to a Mediterranean diet, hours of nightly sleep, body mass index and maximum oxygen consumption were evaluated. Results: First-year adolescent students reported higher values for self-esteem, health-related quality of life, physical activity, Mediterranean diet adherence, hours of nightly sleep and maximal oxygen consumption. Some differences emerged according to sex. Associative analysis revealed negative correlations between age, lifestyle habits (physical activity engagement, hours of nightly sleep and Mediterranean diet adherence) and health indicators (VO2max, self-esteem and HRQoL), with a positive association emerging with BMI. Similar findings emerged regardless of sex, with the exception of findings pertaining to VO2max not being significant in boys. Conclusion: Differences perceived as a function of the adolescent’s age suggest that it should be an important consideration for educational and health organisations, with the aim of establishing intervention strategies appropriate for each age group.