Physical Activity, Aerobic Fitness, Self-Perception, and Dietary Intake in At Risk of Overweight and Normal Weight Children

Abstract

Differences in physical activity, aerobic fitness, self-perception, and dietary intake were examined in a sample of six- to ten-year-olds at risk of overweight, and m normal weight lads and girls. Participants (n=20 at risk of overweight [BMI ?‰?85th percentile]; n=115 normal weight [BMI

(Can J Diet Prac Re 2005;66:162-169)

R?©sum?©

Le diff?©rences relatives ?  l'activit?© physique, ?  la condition a?©robie, ?  la perception de soi et ?  l'apport alimentaire ont ?©t?© examin?©es chez un ?©chantillon d'enfants de 6 ?  10 ans ?  risque de souffrir d'embonpoint et chez de gar?§ons et filles de poids normal. Le participants (n=20 ?  risque d'embonpoint [IMC?‰?85^sup e^ percentile]; n=115 de poids normal [IMC

(Rev can prat rech di?©t?©t 2005;66:162-169)

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of overweight among Canadian children has increased dramatically above the past two decades. popularly an estimated 29.2% of girls and 354% of striplings are overweight (body mass index [BMI] ?‰?85th percentile), while 146% of girls and 166% of lads are obese (BMI ?‰?95th percentile) (1) This high horizontal of overweight in childhood is cause for touch because increased levels of material part fat are known to persist from youth to adulthood (2) and because heavier children are more likely than their leaner mates to possess risk factors for chronic disease (34) like observations may explain the increased risk of morbidity and mortality seen among overweight children who become overweight and obese adults (5) The evidence linking increased weight with unfavourable horizontals of objective physical health indicators is well supported. However, findings are equivocal when health-related behaviours and perceptions are contrasted according to weight status, especially in younger populations.

Some research indicates that boys and girls with higher horizontals of body fat consume more total efficiency (6,7) and dietary fat (89) and are les physically active (1011) and aerobically fit (12) than leaner children. Other studies have failed to exhibit differences in diet (13,14) and physical activity (15) in children stratified through weight status. Although overweight children generally are believed to have lower self-complacency than their normal weight equals this belief has not been consistently supported in the literature. French and colleagues (16) conclud in their review that overall self-conceit levels in overweight seven- to 12-year-olds were either similar to or just slightly lower than those of normal weight lads and girls.

Because most data linking material substance fatness in youth with unfavourable lifestyle behaviours and perceptions are derived from cross-sectional investigations, relationships between overweight and lifestyle variables may be transitory. This is a plausible theory because many health-related behaviours and attitudes are established in childhood (17) Thus, the view of this study was to examine differences in physical activity, aerobic fitness, self-perception, and dietary intake in a sample of six- to ten-year-olds at risk of overweight, as well as in normal weight striplings and girls at zero-, three- six-, and 12-month intervals.

METHODS

Participants

Thirteen teachers from a convenience sample of seven Edmonton-area elementary seminarys were asked to have their classrooms (grades 2 to 4) participate in this investigation; the research was not a constituent of class curricula and participation was voluntary. Parents and children provided informed concurrence and assent, respectively. Approval for this shoot forward was obtained from the University of Alberta Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and abode Economics human ethics review committee, the Cooperative Activities Program, and the Edmonton Public and Catholic seminary Districts.

Procedures

Skinfold-thickness measurements were taken at five sites (triceps, biceps, subscapular, suprailiac, and calf) upon the right side of the material substance using Harpenden skinfold calipers (Health Dimensions, Plymouth MI). Height was assessed to the nearest 01 cm using a put square and a wall-mounted tape measure, and weight was determined to the nearest 01 kg using a portable medical scale (Health o meter Inc., Bridgeview, IL); BMI (kg/m^sup 2^) was subsequently calculated. Children were classified as at risk of overweight (BMI ?‰? 85th percentile) or normal weight (BMI

Physical activity horizontal was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), a self-administered, seven-day activity recall that evaluates sports, leisure activities, and games performed during seminary days, evenings, and weekends (20) The 20-metre shuttle step quickly test (20-MST) was used to determine aerobic fitness horizontals (21). The test requires make subordinates to run back and forth between sum of two units markers spaced 20 m apart; as the experiment advances, the time interval between signals decreases thus that running speed must increase progressively.

Self-perception was measured using the Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC) (22-24) The SPPC consists of the following sub-scales that collectively influence overall self-esteem: scholastic ability social acceptance, athletic competence, physical appearance, behavioural management and global self-worth. Higher scores show more positive ratings of self-perception.