Physical activity and diet in 5 to 7 years old children.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the possible associations between physical activity, diet, social state and overweight in children.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study on 1468 children aged between 5 and 7 years old in Kiel, northwest Germany.


METHODS
Assessment of physical activity and social factors by a questionnaire, food frequency record, body composition analysis by anthropometrics and bioelectrical impedance analysis.


RESULTS
23% of our children were overweight or obese. Low levels of physical activity (as assessed by TV viewing time) were associated with increased body mass index and a higher prevalence of overweight. TV-viewing of more than 1 h per day was associated with a high consumption fast food, sweets, chips and pizza whereas fruits and vegetables were less frequently consumed. Overweight, inactivity and unhealthy eating habits were seen more frequently in families with a low social status.


CONCLUSIONS
In 5 to 7 years old children, overweight is associated with physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits and a low social status. Primary prevention efforts should be directed to low income families.
Müller
M J
MJ
Institut für Humanernährung und Lebensmittelkunde, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany. mmueller@nutrfoodsc.uni-kiel.de
Koertzinger
I
I
Mast
M
M
Langnäse
K
K
Grund
A
A
Koertringer
I
I
D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors