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Obesity is a growing problem in Venezuela, it was proposed to determine the degree of association of low or moderate physical activity (LMPA) and unhealthy eating habits (UEH), including omission of breakfast (OB), with obesity in adolescents. 800 adolescents between 15 and 19 years (405 men) were studied. A two-stage sampling was performed: a) random stratified selection of 31 institutions by educational level; b) selection of adolescents through non - probabilistic quota sampling. Body mass index (BMI) and waist - height ratio (WHR) were calculated. Questionnaires on eating habits and physical activity were applied. For a stratified analysis, age, sex, socioeconomic status (SES), birthweight and excess weight of both parents were considered as potential confounders. The frequency of UEH was elevated in obese and non-obese. The association of the UEH to the global obesity was dependent on the SES. The OB was not associated with obesity. The LMPA was independently associated with central obesity. We conclude that the association of obesity with UEH seems to be a complex phenomenon dependent on the social and economic context of adolescents. The association of central obesity with AFB-M seems to be more clear and independent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]