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

Abstract

Background: Over the past decades, childhood overweight has increased in many African countries. We examined the relationship between sedentary behaviour, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and body composition in South African primary schoolchildren living in peri-urban settings. Methods: MVPA was measured via 7-day accelerometry and body composition via bioelectrical impedance analysis in 1090 learners (49.2% girls, Mage = 8.3 ± 1.4 years). The relationships between MVPA and sedentary behaviour with the various body composition indicators (body fat and fat-free mass [total, truncal, arms, and legs], bone mass, muscle mass, and body water were tested with mixed linear regressions. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.8% and 6.6%, respectively; 77.1% of the children engaged in ≥60 min of MVPA/day. Girls were more likely to be overweight/obese, to accumulate less than 60 min of MVPA/day, and had significantly higher relative body fat than boys (ps < 0.001). Lower MVPA was associated with a higher likelihood of being overweight/obese, higher relative body fat, and lower relative fat-free mass, bone mass, muscle mass, and body water (ps < 0.001). For lower sedentary behaviour, the associations with body composition pointed in the opposite direction. Conclusions: In this South African setting, girls are a particularly relevant target group for future physical activity interventions to prevent overweight/obesity-related non-communicable diseases in later life.

Development of Spatial Orientation of Children Aged 8-9 Years Using a Gymnastic Stick

“…A review of the literature on the problem of health, and rejuvenation of several diseases showed that a big problem is hidden in a sedentary lifestyle [1][2][3][4]. Part of the solution to this problem is to have a physical education lesson at school.…”

“…Physical development and health of schoolchildren are always relevant topics for research. Today, more and more children are obese [1,2] this is a consequence of a sedentary lifestyle [3,4]. In this case, an important role is played by a physical education lesson at school.…”

Development of Kinesthetic Differentiation of Movement Parameters of Children Aged 8-9 Years Using a Gymnastic Stick

“…Table 1 shows the test results at the beginning and at the end of the study, which determines the level of development of the ability to kinesthetically differentiate movement parameters. A review of the literature on the problem of health, and rejuvenation of several diseases showed that a big problem is hidden in a sedentary lifestyle [1][2][3][4]. Part of the solution to this problem is to have a physical education lesson at school.…”

“…development and health of schoolchildren are always relevant topics for research. Today, more and more children are obese [1,2] this is a consequence of a sedentary lifestyle [3,4]. In this case, an important role is played by a physical education lesson at school.…”

Emotional Intelligence, Physical Activity Practice and Mediterranean Diet Adherence-An Explanatory Model in Elementary Education School Students

“…In this case, during adolescence, there is a decline in weekly physical activity time, as young people opt for other types of more sedentary tasks [ 26 ]. In view of this information, an increase in cardiovascular diseases has been observed in the youth population [ 27 ], which is detrimental to the public health of young people. Furthermore, it has also been observed that low levels of physical activity have been reported to lead to a poorer perception of people of themselves and of their physical and social abilities [ 28 ].…”