החינוך הגופני כגורם מגן להתנהגויות סיכון בקרב בני נוער בישראל: הבדלי גיל ומגדר

In Israel, as well as in other countries throughout the world, physical education (PE) classes are included in a school’s core program. PE classes are based on physical health concepts and focus on instilling active and healthy lifestyle habits among students. Studies have shown that adolescents' participation in PE classes can lead to a decrease in risk behavior patterns and an increase in involvement in physical activity even outside the school walls. The present study examined the extent to which PE variables in school (love of PE classes, duration of PE classes, and participation in sports) serve as protective factors against risky behaviors (drunkenness, excessive alcohol consumption, and cannabis smoking] among adolescents. Quantitative correlations were based on a secondary analysis of the Health Behavior in School-Age Children Study data from Israel during the years 2018-2019. The study population included 4,407 students from the sixth, eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades, from the following sectors: state (54%), state-religious (14%), and Arab (32%). Students answered questions about PE and risk behaviors. We found that love for PE and duration of activity in PE were protective factors against the risk behaviors examined. Participation in sports was found to be a protective factor in preventing drunkenness and excessive drinking among teenagers. Policy makers should develop intervention programs as part of the PE lessons to help address the risk behaviors of adolescents, in order to create a healthier future generation