Effect of Physical Activity on Obesity in Second Stage Pupils of Elementary Schools in the Region of Ústí nad Labem

Abstract

Obesity is a serious problem of our society. A long-term positive trend in body weight gain continues to persist. Paediatric obesity arises from a changed lifestyle of children, characterised by an important restriction of their spontaneous physical activity. A lack of physical activity is one of the most important causes of paediatric obesity associated with a number of serious disorders. The paper evaluates the effect of physical activity on obesity in second stage pupils of elementary schools in the region of Ústí nad Labem. In their research survey, the authors determine the incidence of obesity and overweight as well as the relationship between physical activity and obesity in second stage pupils of elementary schools in the region of Ústí nad Labem. The data collection was based on questions of the CAV 2001 questionnaire and BMI-for-age. As revealed by the research survey, problems with obesity and overweight are present particularly in boys. Only a third of boys and girls engage in sufficient physical activity. At the same time, differences were shown in the study group where groups with higher BMI values had lower values of physical activity. Subsequently, a relationship was shown between those who use their bicycle as a means of transport and spend their leisure time bicycling at the same time. More than two thirds of the study subjects reported using a bicycle as a means of transport and using their bicycle in their leisure time as a means of being active; 93% of these subjects had normal body weight. Our results confirm the continued pandemic prevalence of obesity and indicate that appropriate physical activity should be included in the everyday life of children both at school and outside of school.

Physical Activity and BMI before and after the Situation Caused by COVID-19 in Upper Primary School Pupils in the Czech Republic

“…According to Forýtková and Bourek [ 67 ], girls are more likely to spend their free time with friends or in hobby groups, but unfortunately, without sufficient physical activity, while boys have a closer inclination towards gaming technology and PC work. According to Pyšná et al [ 39 ], it is evident that with increasing age there is an increase in the time spent communicating on social networks, with social networks influencing many areas of people’s lives. The impact of virtual environments is being researched and discussed by experts across scientific disciplines.…”

“…This trend follows a number of Czech and international studies. e.g., Pyšná et al [ 20 ], Kunešová et al [ 29 ], World Health Organization [ 59 ], National Institutes of Health in Prague [ 64 ], Caldeira et al [ 68 ], Flegal et al [ 69 ], Canadian Community Health Survey [ 70 ], Kubínová et al [ 71 ], and Pyšná et al [ 72 ]. In assessing the trend, it should be noted that already during the first stage of the research, we observed a relatively high proportion of children (33%) with other than normal weight.…”

“…Regular physical activity increases physical fitness, lowers cholesterol levels, and appears to be the most effective factor in preventing lifestyle diseases by contributing to mental freshness and resistance to stress, improving blood circulation and brain oxygenation, and preventing muscle pain and the development of functional musculoskeletal disorders and chronic noninfectious diseases [ 18 , 19 , 20 ]. In the same context, engaging in sports may help prevent serious cardiovascular, metabolic, and cancer diseases and improve the quality of life.…”

“…Physical activity is recommended by experts not only in the Czech Republic but also worldwide as an important component in the fight against the increasing prevalence of obesity, and its promotion has become a national health priority. The findings of several studies show that a large proportion of older children does not participate in the recommended daily sixty minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity, so it is necessary to intervene and change their behaviour [ 15 , 29 , 34 , 39 ]. Experts emphasise that appropriate physical activity interventions can potentially increase children’s level of physical activity and, moreover, can be included in school health programs.…”

“…Exercise intervention should take into the account a range of indicators, such as health status, exercise history, the current level of fitness, and physical ability. The actual design of physical activity should include the form, intensity, duration, frequency, instructions, and checking of the effect [ 20 , 41 ]. It is important to respect the child’s developmental stage, i.e., anatomical, physiological, psychological, and training specificities.…”