Physical activity is low in obese New Zealand children and adolescents.
We aimed to describe physical activity and sedentary behaviour of obese children and adolescents in Taranaki, New Zealand, and to determine how these differ in Māori (indigenous) versus non-indigenous children. Participants (n = 239; 45% Māori, 45% New Zealand European [NZE], 10% other ethnicities) aged 4.8-16.8 years enrolled in a community-based obesity programme from January 2012 to August 2014 who had a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 98thpercentile (n = 233) or >91st-98thpercentile with weight-related comorbidities (n = 6) were assessed. Baseline activity levels were assessed using the children's physical activity questionnaire (C-PAQ), a fitness test, and ≥3 days of accelerometer wear. Average BMI standard deviation score was 3.09 (SD = 0.60, range 1.52-5.34 SDS). Reported median daily activity was 80 minutes (IQR = 88). Although 44% of the cohort met the national recommended screen time of <2 hours per day, the mean screen time was longer at 165 minutes (SD = 135). Accelerometer data (n = 130) showed low physical activity time (median 34 minutes [IQR = 29]). Only 18.5% of the total cohort met national recommended physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes per day. There were minimal ethnic differences. In conclusion, obese children/adolescents in this cohort had low levels of physical activity. The vast majority are not meeting national physical activity recommendations.
Department of Paediatrics, Taranaki District Health Board, New Plymouth, New Zealand.|Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Yvonne C
YC
Anderson
Department of Paediatrics, Taranaki District Health Board, New Plymouth, New Zealand.
Lisa E
LE
Wynter
Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|Starship Children's Health, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.|Centre for Longitudinal Research - He Ara ki Mua, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Cameron C
CC
Grant
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Joanna M
JM
Stewart
Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Tami L
TL
Cave
Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Cervantée E K
CE
Wild
Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|A Better Start - National Science Challenge, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
José G B
JG
Derraik
Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|Starship Children's Health, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.|A Better Start - National Science Challenge, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Wayne S
WS
Cutfield
Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|Starship Children's Health, Auckland District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand.
Paul L
PL
Hofman
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D057185:Sedentary Behavior