Abstract
Sufficient daily physical activity is associated with many positive mental, physical, and societal benefits in children. Unfortunately, most children worldwide do not achieve recommended levels of daily physical activity (PA), and a majority of evidence is from Western countries and based on subjective measures. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of objectively measured PA levels among Omani children in 2017 (pre-pandemic). A two-stage cluster sampling was used to recruit the 4th grade children across five regions of Oman. A final analytic sample included 1053 children (504 boys, 549 girls) with a mean age of 9.21 years old. PA was objectively measured using a wrist-worn Polar Active Watch during three consecutive school days. Screen-based sedentary behaviors and other PA-related behaviors were subjectively measured. On average, boys were less sedentary and more active, with a greater likelihood of meeting current recommendations when compared with girls. The self-reported time spent in screen-based sedentary behaviors was relatively low for both boys and girls and was not associated with PA; however, sports team participation was associated with a greater likelihood of meeting the current recommendation. The present study provides empirical data on objectively measured PA in Omani children. The gender disparities concerning daily PA, including sports team participation, should receive further attention.
Highlights
Researchers have summarized decades of information corroborating that engagement in recommended amounts of physical activity unequivocally decreases susceptibility to many chronic diseases such as obesity, type II diabetes, and heart diseases [1,2]
The World Health Organization recommends that children engage in at least 60 min of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) per day [1], with at least 30 min of MVPA occurring during after-school hours [5]
Direct comparison is limited due to the different measures of physical activity used and age variations, our findings indicate that Omani children have higher levels of MVPA
Summary
Researchers have summarized decades of information corroborating that engagement in recommended amounts of physical activity unequivocally decreases susceptibility to many chronic diseases such as obesity, type II diabetes, and heart diseases [1,2]. To gain the protective benefits of physical activity, it is important to start physical activity at a young age. Getting children engaged in a sufficient level of physical activity at a young age is important. The World Health Organization recommends that children engage in at least 60 min of moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) per day [1], with at least 30 min of MVPA occurring during after-school hours [5]. A majority of children worldwide do not engage in a recommended amount of physical activity, with a decreasing trend of meeting the recommendation over time [6]. Increasing trends of sedentary behaviors such as screen time in pediatric populations have become a growing concern due to the harmful effects of sedentary behaviors on obesity and cardiometabolic
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