title: Objectively assessed recess physical activity in girls and boys from high and low socioeconomic backgrounds.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The school environment influences children's opportunities for physical activity participation. The aim of the present study was to assess objectively measured school recess physical activity in children from high and low socioeconomic backgrounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four hundred and seven children (6-11 years old) from 4 primary schools located in high socioeconomic status (high-SES) and low socioeconomic status (low-SES) areas participated in the study. Children's physical activity was measured using accelerometry during morning and afternoon recess during a 4-day school week. The percentage of time spent in light, moderate, vigorous, very high and in moderate- to very high-intensity physical activity were calculated using age-dependent cut-points. Sedentary time was defined as 100 counts per minute.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Boys were significantly (p < 0.001) more active than girls. No difference in sedentary time between socioeconomic backgrounds was observed. The low-SES group spent significantly more time in light (p < 0.001) and very high (p < 0.05) intensity physical activity compared to the high-SES group. High-SES boys and girls spent significantly more time in moderate (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) and vigorous (p < 0.001) physical activity than low-SES boys.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differences were observed in recess physical activity levels according to socioeconomic background and sex. These results indicate that recess interventions should target children in low-SES schools.
authors.affiliation: University of Lille Nord de France, UDSL, EA 4488 "Physical Activity, Muscle Health", Lille, France. georges.baquet@univ-lille2.fr.
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Baquet
authors.forename: Nicola D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Ridgers
authors.forename: Aurélie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blaes
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aucouturier
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Praagh
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berthoin
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D004777:Environment; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007702:Kinetocardiography; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011998:Recreation; D012572:School Health Services; D012574:Schools; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors