[Physical activity of school children and their parents in Vojvodina].
BACKGROUND
Physical activity is very important for normal physical and psychic growth and development. Recent studies in developed and developing countries have shown that today's schoolchildren are spending more and more time in front of the TV and computer, and less and less are engaged in sports. Such lifestyle has a negative effect on health. That is why it is very important for children to develop active habits for life, in order to sustain and promote their health.


METHODS
The study included a random sample of 210 children from 4 elementary schools and their parents in Vojvodina. Specially designed questionnaires were used.


CONCLUSIONS
The obtained results showed that 75% of schoolchildren are engaged in physical activity, but only 56.5% play sports regularly (every day or 2-3 times a week). There is a significant difference between boys and girls: about 75% of boys and 35% of girls are engaged in physical activity regularly. Similar results have been obtained by other authors (O'Reilly and Shelley, Faucette, Heath etc). Common reasons for physical activity are health, fitness and fun. Pupil's attitude to sports significantly depends on their parent's opinion about physical activity and also on their attitude to recreation in their future life. Parents are not active as their children, only 40% of fathers and 30% of mothers are engaged in various activities regularly.


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that schoolchildren are engaged in physical activity, but not enough. On the other hand, their parents are very inactive, although they see the importance of it. Considering the fact that present recreational habits are correlated with the attitude to recreation in the future, an additional effort should be made in health education and health promotion in young population.
Nićiforović-Surković
Olja
O
Institut za zastitu zdravlja, Novi Sad. izzz@eunet.yu
Ac-Nikolić
Erzebet
E
Ukropina
Snezana
S
Mijatović-Jovanović
Vesna
V
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D004977:Ethambutol; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents
D004977:Ethambutol