The lifestyles of Portuguese adolescents: use of the FANTÁSTICO questionnaire

Background: The transition to the second cycle of basic education is characterized by several changes that present adolescents with different social, emotional, and relational challenges that are likely to influence their healthy lifestyles. Objective: To describe the lifestyles of adolescents attending the second cycle of basic education in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Portugal. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive-correlational study was conducted with a probability sample of 170 adolescents from five schools in the Madeira Archipelago, using the FANTÁSTICO questionnaire. Results: The participants were mostly adolescents aged 10 years (77.10%). The lifestyle measurement revealed that 56.5% of the participants were at the “Very Good” level. The dimensions with the least positive scores were “Physical and Social Activity,” “Insight,” “Nutrition” and “Health Control and Sexuality.” Conclusion: Assessing the lifestyles of adolescents allowed the characterization of this population and the identification of intervention foci that were considered highly relevant for the implementation of health promotion interventions.