AIM: Some studies found lower levels of physical activity and fitness in overweight children, compared to normal weight children, while others have failed to observe any difference. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to reinvestigate the differences in physical activity and running capacity between overweight and normal weight children. METHODS: A random sample of 121 males and 101 females, 11 to 13 years old, was selected. Children were divided into overweight/fat and normal weight/fat groups based on measures of body mass index and percentage of body fat. Physical activity level was assessed by accelerometers and a Physical Activity Questionnaire. Running capacity was measured by the Cooper Test. RESULTS: Accelerometer data revealed that overweight/fat children were less moderate to vigorous physically active when compared to normal weight/fat children. They also performed worse on the running capacity test (P<0.001). Overweight children reported to be less active in leisure time (P<0.05) compared to normal weight children. Overfat girls reported to participate less in sports activities compared to normal fat girls (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study found clear differences in physical activity and running capacity between overweight/fat and normal weight/fat 11- to 13-year olds. A major strength of the present study is that similar results were shown based on different estimates of overweight and activity in a relatively large sample of children.
AIM: Some studies found lower levels of physical activity and fitness in overweight children, compared to normal weight children, while others have failed to observe any difference. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to reinvestigate the differences in physical activity and running capacity between overweight and normal weight children. METHODS: A random sample of 121 males and 101 females, 11 to 13 years old, was selected. Children were divided into overweight/fat and normal weight/fat groups based on measures of body mass index and percentage of body fat. Physical activity level was assessed by accelerometers and a Physical Activity Questionnaire. Running capacity was measured by the Cooper Test. RESULTS: Accelerometer data revealed that overweight/fat children were less moderate to vigorous physically active when compared to normal weight/fat children. They also performed worse on the running capacity test (P<0.001). Overweight children reported to be less active in leisure time (P<0.05) compared to normal weight children. Overfat girls reported to participate less in sports activities compared to normal fat girls (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study found clear differences in physical activity and running capacity between overweight/fat and normal weight/fat 11- to 13-year olds. A major strength of the present study is that similar results were shown based on different estimates of overweight and activity in a relatively large sample of children.
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Authors: Charlene Ottevaere; Inge Huybrechts; Jasmin Benser; Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij; Magdalena Cuenca-Garcia; Jean Dallongeville; Maria Zaccaria; Frederic Gottrand; Mathilde Kersting; Juan P Rey-López; Yannis Manios; Dénes Molnár; Luis A Moreno; Emmanouel Smpokos; Kurt Widhalm; Stefaan De Henauw Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2011-05-17 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Adewale L Oyeyemi; Cornelius M Ishaku; Jameela Oyekola; Hajara D Wakawa; Aliyu Lawan; Safira Yakubu; Adetoyeje Y Oyeyemi Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-02-22 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Janneke van Leeuwen; Bart W Koes; Winifred D Paulis; Patrick J E Bindels; Marienke van Middelkoop Journal: BMC Pediatr Date: 2020-09-09 Impact factor: 2.567