Levels and Patterns of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour of Primary School Learners in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) assessment in children is critical for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases. African studies examining PA and SB of primary school-age children are few. This study investigated PA, SB levels and their correlates among primary school children in Lagos, Nigeria. Method: In a cross-sectional study of 733 learners, their self-reported PA and SB were assessed using the Children PA Questionnaire (CPAQ) (6–9 years age category) and Youth Activity Profile (YAP) (10–12 years age category) while pedometers were used for objective PA and SB assessment, and socioeconomic status (SES) index were measured using a structured questionnaire. Standardised procedures were used for anthropometric and cardiovascular measures. Results Based on CPAQ, 87.5% and 100% of the learners aged 6–9 years met the recommended PA and SB guidelines, respectively which were lower with pedometers (72.8% and 87.3%). The proportion of boys aged 6–9 years who met the guidelines for PA and SB (using pedometer) was significantly higher than that of the girls(PA: 80.7% vs. 64%, p = 0.018; SB: 94% vs. 80%, p = 0.008). Self-reported PA was positively associated with age (CPAQ: B = 455.39, p < 0.001; YAP: B = 1.638, p = 0.009) and negatively with SES (CPAQ: B = −201.39, p < 0.001; YAP: B = −1.000, p < 0.001). Objective PA was positively associated with waist to hip ratio(WHR) (6–9 years: B = 66090.24, p = 0.032) and negatively with sex (6–9 years: B = −5533.41, p = 0.027) and hip circumference (10–12 years: B = −1269.13, p = 0.017). SB was associated with SES in learners aged 10–12 years (B = −0.282, p = 0.003).Conclusion: High SES is a major predictor of reduced PA among these cohort of learners.

Effects of Game-based Physical Education Program on Enjoyment in Children and Adolescents : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Physical education has been proved to positively affect mental and physical health and weight of children and adolescents, and alleviate health disorders. This is evident from various outcomes such as enhanced physical health (9), the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) and mental disorders (10), the promotion of mental well-being (11), the facilitation of increasing engagement in physical activities, and falling childhood obesity (12,13).The emotional in uence of physical education on experienced enjoyment in children and adolescents offers notable bene ts (14), both at individual and team levels, by fostering teamwork and socialization (15). Consequently, the investigation of the enjoyable aspects of physical education activities for children and adolescents is crucial (16).…”