Abstract
The aim of this study was to check whether following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) concerning physical activity protects children and adolescents against the occurrence of overweight and obesity. A total of 1002 children were included in the analysis. The average age of the studied children was 9.36 years ± 3.52 years. Measurement of height and body mass was performed for every child, followed by physical activity assessment over seven days. In each group analyzed, the overweight and obese children had a shorter time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than the children with normal body mass. Among the children spending < 60 min per day in MVPA, the risk of occurrence of overweight and obesity was greater than among children with physical activity > 60 min per day. It was also shown that the greatest risk of occurrence of body mass disorder was a situation in which the mother’s gestational weight gain (GWG) is over 18 kg and the child does not spend a minimum of 60 min/day in MVPA. Not meeting the recommendation is connected with an increased chance of the occurrence of overweight and obesity. The level of physical activity influences the incidence of overweight and obesity. The children with overweight and obesity spent less time per day in MVPA. An increased body mass in mothers during pregnancy associated with a child’s low level of physical activity increases the risk of the occurrence of overweight and obesity.
Highlights
Physical activity is any movement made by the human body using the skeletal muscles
Significant differences were found showing higher rates of physical activity among boys. They showed longer time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), longer time spent in MVPA (p < 0.001), higher average counts per minute (CPM)
Many systematic reviews suggest the importance of promoting more physical activity, healthy diets and nutrition for good health-related quality of life among children and adolescents. [25,26] In addition, there is scientific evidence that sedentary behaviors during adolescence are negatively associated with adolescent health outcomes, such as obesity and the risk of metabolic diseases
Summary
Physical activity is any movement made by the human body using the skeletal muscles. It is of great importance as a preventive and healing factor [1]. The developmental period is characterized by large changes in the child’s body, especially in the field of the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system, motor coordination and movement control. A large role is assigned to shaping body composition, which can be regulated through physical activity [2]. Exercise reduces sympathetic activation and blood pressure, improve insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, as well as promote the expenditure of excess energy from adipose tissue while reducing body weight [3].
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