Sedentary lifestyle in active children admitted to a summer sport school.
Aim of this study was to investigate the sedentary patterns of school-aged active children admitted to a summer sport school. One hundred-twelve children aged 9-11 years were interviewed through a questionnaire about sedentary behaviours and nutrition habits. Seventy-one per cent of children reported they watch TV seven days a week, girls less than boys (84 +/- 45 minutes vs. 110 +/- 75 minutes) (t = 2.056; p = 0.042). The habit of TV viewing during meals was widespread (38% breakfast, 31% lunch, 62% dinner, 18% every meal). The prevalence of overweight or obesity (58.5%) was significantly higher among boys watching TV at dinner compared to the boys viewing TV only in the afternoon (35%) (chi2 = 4.976; p = 0.026). Fifty-seven per cent of children (65% boys) were accustomed to nibble snacks during TV viewing, and this habit was widespread in overweight or obese boys (chi2 = 4.546; p = 0.033). The dietary patterns of children watching TV include more snack foods and fewer fruits than the dietary patterns of the same children exercising (chi2 = 4.199 p = 0.040). Also in active children the habit to watch television is widespread and, in spite of the tendency to physical activity, 46% of them were overweight or obese; in fact the time spent looking at a TV may be associated to overweight/obesity and this relationship could be explained by the amount of high-density foods consumption during inactivity. Playing video games, read a book and listening to music are sedentary lifestyle patterns but these seem not to represent a risk factor for an increased BMI.
Postgraduate School of Paediatrics, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Valentina
V
Fainardi
Chiara
C
Scarabello
Iovane
I
Brunella
Maria Katrin
MK
Errico
Alessandra
A
Mele
Chiara
C
Gelmetti
Ivonne
I
Sponzilli
Giovanni
G
Chiari
Elio
E
Volta
Marco
M
Vitale
Maurizio
M
Vanelli
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D050177:Overweight / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012574:Schools; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013177:Sports / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires