TIEMPO DEDICADO A ACTIVIDADES FÍSICAS DE DIFERENTE INTENSIDAD Y SU RELACIÓN CON VARIABLES ANTROPOMÉTRICAS Y GRASA CORPORAL EN ESCOLARES COSTARRICENSES

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity is important in the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity. Objective: To determine the association between the time that Costa Rican schoolchildren dedicate to physical activities of different intensities with anthropometric variables and with the percentage of body fat. Materials and methods: Participants were 21 boys and 11 girls with ages between 6 and 9 years old. Anthropometric measurements were weight, size, arm circumference, waist circumference, sub scapular fold, tricipital fold. BMI, arm muscle circumference, arm area, arm muscle area, fat arm area, and waist/height ratio were calculated. Analysis of the percentage of body fat was carried out by the deuterium method. The time devoted to physical activity at different intensity was recorded using the Actiheart accelerometer and the variables recorded were sedentary, light, moderate, vigorous and moderate + vigorous condition. Results: Boys presented significantly higher values (p <0.05) in the moderate, vigorous and moderate + vigorous condition than girls. Pearson's correlation analysis determined a negative association between moderate physical activity time and moderate + vigorous intensity with weight, BMI, waist circumference, triceps skinfold, and body fat percentage. Conclusions: Schoolchildren between 6 and 9 years of age who dedicate more time to activities of moderate intensity and moderate + vigorous intensity reduce risk factors related to the development of non-communicable diseases. Key words: Physical Activity; Anthropometry; School Children; Body Fat; Intensity of Physical Activity; Time of Physical Activity.