Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the present study was to examine the influence of body mass index category, as well as of demographic and socioeconomic factors on the participation in organized physical activity (OPA) of schoolchildren attending primary and secondary school in Greece. Furthermore, to compare the difference between the two levels.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study conducted on a representative elementary and secondary school cohort, derived using stratification and probability proportional to size (PPS) methodology. The final sample included 18,264 subjects, aged 6 to 15 years.Parents of all students and students of secondary schools fulfilled validated questionnaires evaluating socioeconomic status, and participation to OPA. International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut offs were used to classify the children. Univariate and multivariate logistic models examined factors associated with OPA. All analyses were stratified by school level.ResultsSport participation was not reported in 37.7 and 54.4% of primary and secondary schoolchildren respectively. Having BMI within normal range, being male, having parents participating in an organized activity and a high socio-economic status seem to encourage participation in OPA in both school levels.ConclusionsChildren with normal BMI are more likely to participate in OPA. Parents as role model as well as higher socioeconomic status of the family emerge as important influencers. Participation in OPA declines as students enter secondary school. Interventions focusing on increasing physical education and activity into school daily program should be tailored to the specific needs of different weight categories and can possibly eliminate the impact of SES inequalities.
Highlights
The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of body mass index category, as well as of demographic and socioeconomic factors on the participation in organized physical activity (OPA) of schoolchildren attending primary and secondary school in Greece
Descriptive and inferential statistics for the distribution of socioeconomic and demographic variables in our sample are given in Tables 1 and 2
Participation in OPA decreases with age, the greatest difference being observed after transition from primary to secondary school
Summary
The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of body mass index category, as well as of demographic and socioeconomic factors on the participation in organized physical activity (OPA) of schoolchildren attending primary and secondary school in Greece. Increased physical activity levels have been recognized as an important factor for the prevention and treatment of obesity [4]. Participation of young children and adolescents in organized sport training increases their physical activity level and contributes towards achieving the desired daily and weekly physical activity targets [5,6,7,8]. Organized physical activities (OPA) comprise exercise programs in specially designed areas, tend to require a coach or an instructor, are structured, and require payment [10]. Participation in OPA has been shown to be positively associated with proficiency of fundamental movements and physical fitness [11], because of the continuous guidance and errors correction by a coach/instructor and the latter’s systematic structured content. Training exercises are individualized according to a person’s abilities
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