Abstract
To establish the relationship between levels of physical activity and body mass index in Colombian students. Materials and methods: Correlational descriptive study, performed with 2,651 children between 10-12 years of age, educated in both public and private institutions in six Colombian cities. Prior informed consent was signed by parents, and permission was given by student participants. A survey was applied, in order to collect sociodemographic variables, as was a physical activity form and lifestyle questionnaire (PAQ-C). Results: There was a 1:1 male-female ratio. Of the participants in the study, 36.1% were 10-year-old children. In 87% of overweight participants, physical activity levels were evaluated as low or very low. Of those who had normal body mass indexes, one in 10 performed moderate physical activity, and in underweight children, 81.6% had low or very low physical activity levels. Statistically significant differences in physical activity levels by both sex and age p<0.05 were revealed. Low levels of significant inverse correlation were found between physical activity and body mass index (-0.059 for the group total, and -0.070 and -0.046 for boys and girls, respectively). Conclusions: Physical activity and body mass index are significantly, differentially, and inversely associated. Physical activity should be promoted in children, as it directly impacts their body mass index, and both variables predict adult cardiovascular health.
Highlights
Physical activity plays an important role in the prevention of non-communicable chronic disease and lowers obesity risk
The numbers indicate that 40% of children who are overweight at seven years old continue on to become obese adults [7], and that physical activity is among the causal factors in their development
Today’s lifestyles, which keep children inactive, are predisposing factors to excess weight gain [8, 9]
Summary
Physical activity plays an important role in the prevention of non-communicable chronic disease and lowers obesity risk. It regulates energy balance and preserves or maintains lean mass instead of fat mass [1, 2]. The prevalence of excess weight and obesity in the United States in the last decade affected 37.1% of children aged 6-11 years old, and 34% of those aged 12-19 years old [5]. The numbers indicate that 40% of children who are overweight at seven years old continue on to become obese adults [7], and that physical activity is among the causal factors in their development
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