Physical activity habits, risk behaviors, and mental and functional well-being: A comparative analysis among teenagers with and without disabilities in mainstream schools.

Teenagers with disabilities may be at higher risk of physical inactivity and engagement in risk behaviors, which could lead to a decline in their mental and functional well-being. The aim of this study was to examine the physical activity patterns, risk behaviors (cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug use), and mental and functional well-being of teenagers with and without disabilities. The research was based on a sub-analysis of data that was collected via the multinational survey of the World Health Organization (Health Behaviors in School-aged Children, HBSC), which was conducted in Israel during 2018-2019. The original survey included approximately 13,850 subjects aged 11-17 years. The current study included a cohort of 4,407 participants, including 1,265 who had at least one of the following disabilities: behavioral, sensory, cognitive, and physical. The findings of the current study indicate that teenagers with disabilities exhibit greater inactivity compared to their non-disabled peers, with odd ratios reaching 1.64 among those with cognitive disabilities. Girls with and without disabilities were found to engage in less physical activity than boys. Youth with disabilities and of low socioeconomic status were at double the risk of refraining from physical activity, especially those with physical disabilities (by more than 2.5) compared to the same population of high socioeconomic status. Teenagers with disabilities were more likely to be involved in risk behaviors than their peers without disabilities, including cigarette smoking, excessive drinking, and cannabis use. Finally, participants with disabilities reported significantly lower life satisfaction and significantly less peer- and teacher-support compared to those without disabilities. In view of these findings, physical activities should be encouraged among teenagers, with an emphasis on increasing accessibility to such activities for youth with disabilities - through educational staff and intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]