Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Is Associated With Cardiorespiratory Fitness Among Primary Schoolchildren Living in Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa, and Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity and low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are independent cardiovascular risk factors among children, but have rarely been investigated concurrently in sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this study was to compare physical activity (PA) and CRF of primary schoolchildren living in Côte d'Ivoire (CI), South Africa (ZA), and Tanzania (TZ), to test sex- and age-related differences, and to examine whether PA and CRF are associated with each other.Methods: Baseline data from an ongoing cluster-randomized controlled trial were used, including 499 children from CI (Taabo, 49% girls, M = 8.0 ± 1.6 years), 1,074 children from ZA (Gqeberha, 49% girls, M = 8.3 ± 1.4 years), and 593 children from TZ (Ifakara, 51% girls, M = 9.4 ± 1.7 years). PA was assessed by accelerometry and CRF by a 20 m shuttle-run test. The data were analyzed using multi-/univariate analyses of variance and mixed linear models.Results: Most children met recommendations put forward by the World Health Organization for moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and achieved high CRF scores. In CI, 89.6% of the children met MVPA recommendations (boys: 91.7%, girls: 87.4%), whereas this rate was 76.9% in ZA (boys: 91.0%, girls: 62.4%), and 93.8% in TZ (boys: 95.5%, girls: 92.0%). Children from TZ had the highest CRF and MVPA levels, followed by children from CI and ZA. Boys had higher MVPA levels than girls, whereas girls engaged in more sedentary behavior. Sex differences were strongest in ZA. Sedentary behavior and MVPA were higher among older schoolchildren compared to their younger peers. Higher MVPA, but not sedentary behavior, was associated with better CRF.Conclusions: In all three settings, higher levels of MVPA were associated with higher CRF scores. Nevertheless, children living in the most urbanized setting (such as observed in ZA) were physically less active and had lower CRF than peers living in more rural areas (such as observed in CI and TZ). Particularly for girls, urbanization might increase the risk for insufficient MVPA, which may have negative effects on their CRF, thus negatively influencing health and well-being at later age.

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

“…Moreover, 61.7% of all learners engage in a sedentary lifestyle of which the majority are girls (61.0%). Our findings are supported by those of Gerber et al 12 residence indicated that learners from urban (n = 136; 77.3%) and peri-urban areas (n = 149; 63.4%) had higher levels of sedentary behaviour as compared to those from rural areas (n = 252; 54.9%). This is mainly attributed to the easy access to transport because of the unsafe environment, and the distance between schools and residential areas makes it difficult for these learners to walk to school.…”

“…Thus, generally, the sampled primary school children do not comply with the healthbased guidelines for PA and do not meet the recommended levels of daily PA endorsed by the World Health Organization. 10,17 On the contrary, Gerber et al 12 reported that most primary school children (76.9%) in South Africa met WHO recommendations. In PA participation, we found out that the majority of the learners reported low PA levels (PAQ-C score of 2.33 ± 0.43), especially girls.…”

“…20 Our findings also revealed that PA participation increases with age and these findings have been reported in the literature. 19,12 The majority (n = 121; 53.8%) of the 13-to 14-year-olds engage in moderate PA participation, whereas the majority of 9-to 10-year learners (n = 121; 54.5%) and 11-to 12-year (n = 239; 56.5%) learners engage in low PA participation. Our findings contradict those of McVeigh and Meiring, 19 who reported that in a cohort of South African children aged between 9 and 15 years, there was a decrease in PA participation with age.…”

“…10,11 In the literature, demographics like age, gender and residence are reported to be possible influential factors of PA levels and sedentary behaviour. 12 According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 13 recommended levels of PA for children and adolescents 6-17 years include a minimum of at least 60 min daily PA of moderate-to-high intensity. 14 The PA levels must furthermore conform to recommendations Background: This study was designed to assess physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary behaviour amongst primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.…”

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, Weight Status, and Body Composition among South African Primary Schoolchildren

“…All schools (quintile 3 schools) were located in peri-urban, marginalized communities. Results from this study have been published previously [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ]. However, the objectives articulated above have yet to be examined, and hence, the findings presented in the current publication are original.…”