Abstract
This study was aimed (i) to examine the effect of living setting (rural vs. urban), geographical area (North vs. Center vs. South), and gender (boys vs. girls) on weight status, motor coordination, and physical activity (PA) level of Italian school-age children; (ii) to examine differences in the neighborhood walkability of different school areas from different geographical areas and living settings; and (iii) to examine whether motor coordination, PA level, geographical areas, living setting, neighborhood walkability, and gender could predict children's weight status. We assessed anthropometric parameters, gross motor coordination, and PA level in 1,549 children aged between 8 and 13 years. Results revealed that Central children had higher BMI than Northern and Southern children (η2 = 0.01). Moreover, Northern children showed the highest motor quotient (η2 = 0.148) and PA level (η2 = 0.02), followed by Southern and Central children, respectively. Children from the South of Italy attended schools located in neighborhoods with the highest Walk Score®. Urban children attended schools located in neighborhoods with a higher Walk Score® than rural children. Lower motor quotient (MQ), lower PA level, and living in a rural setting and in a car-dependent neighborhood were associated with a higher relative risk for obesity. Being a girl was associated with a lower relative risk for obesity. The alarming high percentage of overweight and obesity in children as well as motor coordination impairments revealed the urgent need of targeted PA interventions in pediatric population.
Highlights
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, in industrialized countries
Recent studies conducted on Italian populations report that more than 30% of Italian children are affected by overweight or obesity [5, 6], 18% are sedentary, while 41% perform more than 2 h of screen activities a day
An open invitation to representatives of private and public schools of the Italian geographical areas (North Italy = Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige; Center Italy = Lazio; South Italy = Sicily) was done, and a total sample of 2,206 schoolchildren were recruited after school principals/administrators had been informed about the whole project and accepted to participate in the study
Summary
The prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, in industrialized countries. The excess of body weight is strongly correlated with sedentary lifestyles and is related to low levels of motor competence [1, 2]. It can be defined as mastery in fundamental movement skills such as walking, running, or jumping and in more specialized movement sequences such as lifelong physical activity abilities like cycling, swimming, or sport-specific skills, and it describes the ability to perform both gross and fine motor skills [3]. Recent studies conducted on Italian populations report that more than 30% of Italian children are affected by overweight or obesity [5, 6], 18% are sedentary, while 41% perform more than 2 h of screen activities a day. The Italian peninsula, mostly within the Apennine mountain range, stretches for about 1,200 km, in NW–SE striking sets leading to many different historical and geographical characteristics that determine significative socio-economic and lifestyle differences among northern, central, and southern regions and, between urban and rural settings [17]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
