| Abstract [eng] |
A review of the scientific literature shows that prevalence of risk factors in Lithuania is high (smoking, alcohol and drug use), while prevention is insufficient. Mental health disorders and suicides are also widespread, while assessment of your own health – one of the worst in the European Union (HI, 2019, p. 71). The aim of the research – to determine if physical activity of youth can be considered as a means of preventing risky behavior. Quantitative research is performed – anonymous questionnaire in writing. The scope of the research – 533 respondents. Data obtained during the research are analyzed by using statistical and descriptive data analysis (IBM SPSS statistics 22 for Windows, MS Excel 2007). The results of the research have revealed that men (70.9%) were physically active enough during their free time more frequently than women (61.8%). Physically passive younger people feel unhappy, sad, do not want to do anything, which may lead to a risky behavior: more often smoking, extremely significantly, using alcohol, drugs, more often tending to have suicidal thoughts. Also, men and women who are not physically active enough, smoke when using alcohol and have used cocaine. It was determined that physically passive younger people who have used marijuana or hashish in the last 30 days, have tried cocaine. What is more, a quarter of physically passive respondents were intoxicated with pills and used alcohol at the same time. Physically passive respondents who have had suicidal thoughts, assess their overall health worse than those respondents who have not had suicidal thoughts, even (25.9%) of physically inactive respondents have had serious intentions to commit suicide during the last 12 months. The Master’s thesis found that sports, active physical activity reduce the prevalence of risky behavior among the youth and can be considered as one of the prevention measures. Physically active people are found to be happier. |
