Introduction:

Obesity affects more adolescents every day. The key to prevention remains the control of modifiable risk factors. The objective of the work was to carry out an analysis using importance-performance maps of the main behaviors that condition the appearance of excess weight in adolescents according to gender. A statistical technique that draws on a map the importance and performance of each of the risk factors involved in the development of excess weight.

Material and methods:

We collected information from 416 adolescents between 12 and 14 years of age in Murcia (Spain) using the ENHASA healthy habits questionnaire. Later, we determined the somatometry and they were classified following the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). A multivariate analysis and importance-performance maps according to gender were performed.

Results:

416 adolescents participated. We obtained 40,6% excess weight without significant differences by sex. The analysis showed an R2 of 0,123 in boys and 0,156 in girls. Lack of physical activity revealed as the most important factor for the development of excess weight in boys, although the habits with the greatest capacity for improvement were those related to the use of television and screen time. In girls, the most determining dimension was the socio-school environment; and the habits with the lowest performance were also those related to the use of screens.

Conclusions:

There are gender differences in the habits that determine overweight and obesity. It is important to take a gender perspective into account when designing new more efficient prevention.

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