title: Physical activity patterns of ethnic children from low socio-economic environments within the UK.
abstract: Many children fail to meet physical activity (PA) guidelines for health benefits. PA behaviours are complex and depend on numerous interrelated factors. The study aims to develop current understanding of how children from low Socio-economic environments within the UK use their surrounding built environments for PA by using advanced technology. The environment was assessed in 96 school children (7-9 years) using global positioning system (GPS) monitoring (Garmin Forerunner, 305). In a subsample of 46 children, the environment and PA were assessed using an integrated GPS and heart rate monitor. The percentage of time spent indoor, outdoor, in green and non-green environments along with time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) in indoor and outdoor environments were assessed. A 2-by-2 repeated measures analysis of covariance, controlling for body mass index, BF%, assessed the environmental differences. The findings show that 42% of children from deprived wards of Coventry fail to meet PA guidelines, of which 43% was accumulated during school. Children engaged in more MVPA outdoor than indoor environments (P < 0.01) and a greater amount of time was spent in non-green environments (P < 0.01). Increased time outdoors was negatively associated with BF%. In conclusion, outdoor environments are important for health-enhancing PA and reducing fatness in deprived and ethnic children.
authors.affiliation: a Biomolecular and Sport Science , Coventry University , Priory Street, Coventry , CV1 5B , UK.
authors.forename: Emma Lisa Jane
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Eyre
authors.forename: Michael Joseph
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Samantha Louise
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Birch
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blackett
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D005006:Ethnicity; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: South Asian; deprivation; fatness; youth