Health promoting behaviors in adolescence: Validation of the Portuguese version of the Adolescent Lifestyle Profile

Objective reliable and valid instruments are essential for understanding health-promoting behaviors in adolescents. this study analyzed the psychometric properties of the portuguese version of the adolescent lifestyle profile (alp). methods a linguistic and cultural translation of the alp was conducted with 236 adolescents from two different settings: a community (n = 141) and a clinical setting (n = 95). internal consistency reliability and confirmatory factor analysis were performed. results results showed an adequate fit to data,yielding a 36-item,seven-factor structure (cmin/df = 1.667,cfi = 0.807,gfi = 0.822,rmr = 0.051,rmsea = 0.053,pnfi = 0.575,pcfi = 0.731). the alp presented a high internal consistency (α = 0.866),with the subscales presenting moderate reliability values (from 0.492 to 0.747). the highest values were in interpersonal relations (3.059 ± 0.523) and positive life perspective (2.985 ± 0.588). some gender differences were found. findings showed that adolescents from the clinic reported an overall healthier lifestyle than those from the community setting (2.598 ± 0.379 vs. 2.504 ± 0.346; t = 1.976,p = 0.049). conclusion the alp portuguese version is a psychometrically reliable,valid,and useful measurement instrument for assessing health-promoting lifestyles in adolescence. the alp is cross-culturally validated and can decisively contribute to a better understanding of adolescent health promotion needs. additional research is needed to evaluate the instrument's predictive validity,as well as its clinical relevance for practice and research. © 2015 sociedade brasileira de pediatria. published by elsevier editora ltda. all rights reserved.