No differences in physical activity between children with overweight and children of normal-weight

• Main Authors: Janneke van Leeuwen (Author), Bart W. Koes (Author), Winifred D. Paulis (Author), Patrick J. E. Bindels (Author), Marienke van Middelkoop (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 10.1186/s12887-020-02327-y; 1471-2431
• Keywords: Physical activity; Overweight; Children; Pediatrics; RJ1-570
• Source: BMC Pediatrics, Vol 20, Iss 1, Pp 1-7 (2020)

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in objectively measured physical activity and in self-reported physical activity between overweight and normal-weight children. Methods Data from a prospective cohort study including children, presenting at the participating general practices in the south-west of the Netherlands, were used. Children (aged 4-15 years) were categorized as normal-weight or overweight using age- and sex specific cut-off points. They wore an ActiGraph accelerometer for one week to register physical activity, and filled out a diary for one week about physical activity. Results A total of 57 children were included in this study. Overweight children spent significantly less percentage time per day in sedentary behavior (β − 1.68 (95%CI -3.129, − 0.07)). There were no significant differences in percentage time per day spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (β 0.33 (− 0.11, 0.78)). No significant differences were found between children of normal-weight and overweight in self-reported measures of physical activity. Conclusions Overweight children are not less physically active than normal-weight children, which may be associated with the risen awareness towards overweight/obesity and with implemented interventions for children with overweight/obesity.