Physical activity patterns in Egyptian obese and nonobese adolescents assessed using a validated WHO questionnaire

Abstract

Background/aim Obesity is one of the major health problems especially when started early in life, and is associated with serious complications. The study aimed to focus on physical activity in a sample of Egyptian obese and nonobese adolescents. Patients and methods This study enrolled 89 adolescents of both sexes from the Medical Research Centre of Excellence at Cairo, Egypt, and were divided into two groups. Group 1, the obese group which included 45 children with a BMI more than or equal to 85th centile and group 2 the nonobese group which consisted of 44 matched peers with a BMI less than 85th centile. Physical habits were determined using a validated (yes or no) questionnaire according to WHO recommendations, Results Physical activity patterns and intensity in the studied individuals according to WHO recommendations differed between obese and nonobese adolescents as 33.3% of obese adolescents were involved in 60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity compared with 15.9% of the nonobese group with a P value of 0.057,while 35.5% of obese adolescents were involved also in daily activity of more than 60 min compared with 15.9% of nonobese adolescents. In 73.3% of the obese group, most of their physical activity is aerobic compared with 40.9% of the nonobese group with a statistically significant difference, P value of 0.002. Of the obese group 4.4% were involved in vigorous-intensity activities three times per week at least including those that strengthen the muscle and the bone. Conclusions Physical activity is a habit encountered in obese adolescents than nonobese adolescents that is reflected on their answers of the questionnaire, regarding its pattern and intensity, which is beneficial to reduce the risk of development of chronic diseases, complications resulting from obesity and assist the promotion of healthy lifestyle.