The Relationship between Obesity and Physical Activity of Children in the Spotlight of Their Parents' Excessive Body Weight

Physical activity and sedentary behavior among ambulatory children with cerebral palsy using accelerometer: a cross-sectional study

Background and objective

Physical activity (PA) is paramount for childhood development and growth. However, children diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP) were often considered sedentary, and their physical inactivity was associated with adverse health conditions and complications. Therefore, this study aimed to objectively describe and compare the PA levels and SB levels of children with and without CP of the same age group. It also studied the factors correlating with PA, SB, and step count per day in children with CP.

Subjects and methods

A cross-sectional study using a wrist-worn accelerometer was conducted. PA and SB were measured over seven consecutive days.

Results

Eighty-five children aged 6-12 years, consisting of 41 children with CP and 44 TD children, participated in this study with a mean age of 9.18 ± 1.95 and 8.45 ± 1.78 years, respectively. According to the gross functional measures, 53.6% of children with CP were classified as first classification. A significant amount of time was spent in SB and Light PA (LPA) by children with CP compared to TD children, and no significant differences were observed in moderate PA (MPA) or step count. Gender mainly affected MPA as girls spent more time in MPA than boys. The age, height, and weight of children with CP correlate significantly with SB. As children's age, height, and weight increase, SB increases. Additionally, children with higher weights have lower step counts per day.

Conclusion

This study showed that children with CP spend more time in LPA and SB than typically developed children. Therefore, concerted efforts are needed to encourage physical activity and reduce the sedentary lifestyle, to take into account the gender and anthropometric measures of children to enhance the quality of life among children with CP, and to consider gender and anthropometric measures of the children.

Maternal-child overweight relationship, assessment of maternal perception of child weight status and feeding behaviours

BACKGROUND

Parents play a key role in constructing children' behaviours. We studies maternal-child overweight relationship and compared maternal perception of child weight status and feeding behaviours between groups of normal-weight and overweight children.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted on 192 girls aged 10-13 years and their mothers. They were divided to two groups of overweight (n = 94) and normal-weight (n = 98) children. Anthropometric characteristics were measured for children and mothers. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between child overweight and tertiles of maternal body mass index (BMI). Maternal perception of child's weight status and her engagement in promoting child's healthy behaviours was assessed.

RESULTS

BMI and waist circumference was significantly higher in children (P < 0.001) and mothers (P < 0.01) of overweight compared to normal-weight group. There was a significant relationship between children's overweight and tertiles of maternal BMI, which remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders. Mothers of overweight children were more concerned for their child's overeating and overweight, and for compelling the child to diet to maintain a desirable weight (P < 0.001). In contrast, mothers of normal-weight children restricted sugar-sweetened drinks (P = 0.008), offered fruit and vegetables (P = 0.035), and helped their children to get enough physical activity (P = 0.022) and night sleep (P = 0.001) more than mothers in other group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed a strong relationship between children and mothers' overweight. Despite being more concerned about their child weight status, mothers of overweight children reported behaviours which were less encouraging the children for healthy eating and lifestyle than mothers of normal-weight children.

Mediating role of physical activity levels on physical fitness in overweight and obese children when Body Mass Index is not a determining factor

Background and Study Aim. Physical fitness is a crucial health indicator in children and adolescents. Despite the global rise in overweight and obesity, the impact of Body Mass Index (BMI) on physical fitness remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate: (R1) the differences in physical fitness components and physical activity levels among children according to gender and BMI, and (R2) the mediating role of physical activity in the relationship between BMI and physical fitness components. Material and Methods. The sample was made of 180 students aged 11-14 years (n=90 – male; n=90 - female) divided according to BMI cutoff in normal weight, overweight and obese. Physical fitness components were assessed with several tests: Standing Long Jump (SLJ), Medicine Ball Throw 2Kg (MBT), Shuttle Run 10x5m (10x5), and One Mile Walk Test. Physical activity levels were evaluated with a self-reported questionnaire. A two-way factorial MANOVA was conducted to assess the effects of gender and BMI on physical fitness. Additionally, a mediation analysis was performed to explore the effect of physical activity on the relationship between BMI and physical fitness. Results. Results revealed significant differences in the Standing Long Jump (SLJ), 10x5 Shuttle Run, One Mile Walk Test, and physical activity levels, with moderate to large effect sizes observed. Males demonstrated higher levels of physical fitness and physical activity levels (PAL) compared to females. Individuals of normal weight were generally more active and stronger than their overweight and obese peers. Mediation analysis revealed that physical activity completely mediates the relationship between BMI and physical fitness components. Conclusions. Results from the present study suggest that the development of physical fitness is not solely determined by BMI, but also depends on the daily practice of physical activity. Future research is needed to assess the effect of physical activity in mediating and moderating the relationship between obesity and physical fitness.

Better together? Comparing physical activity of parents walking outdoors with and without their child

This study compares the physical activity levels and enjoyment of parents (n ​= ​50; age ​= ​41.8 ​± ​4.0 years) during outdoor, self-paced walking sessions while walking alone and when walking with their 6-to-12-year-old child. Step counts, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), vigorous physical activity, and enjoyment were compared using paired t-tests. Regression modeling was used to examine the impact of children's age and adults' and children's body mass index on the disparity in step counts experienced by adults. Adults attained high percentages of time spent in MVPA while walking alone (99.8%) and when walking with their child (96.6%). However, more of this time was categorized as vigorous physical activity when walking alone (13.6% vs. 3.0%, p ​= ​0.006). Adults' step counts decreased by an average of 6.4% while walking with their child compared to walking alone (p ​< ​0.001). This reduction was greater for parents of younger children (p ​= ​0.004). In obese adults, the reduction in step counts experienced while walking with their child was not as great as the reduction experienced by normal-weight adults (p ​= ​0.042). Although adults obtained higher step counts and vigorous physical activity while walking alone, they enjoyed walking more with their child (p ​< ​0.001). Health practitioners should be aware of this tradeoff when making recommendations for parent-child co-participation in physical activity, and parents may wish to supplement their physical activity obtained while walking with their child(ren) with additional activities that result in vigorous physical activity.

Surveillance of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in czech children and adolescents: a scoping review of the literature from the past two decades

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to map the available evidence related to physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in Czech children and adolescents and suggest future directions and improvements to strengthen the surveillance of PA and SB in the Czech Republic.

METHODS

The search of articles published between January 2000 and December 2020 included the Medline and Medvik databases and a manual search in eight Czech journals related to the topic. This review followed the "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews".

RESULTS

Out of 350 identified articles, 79 articles met the criteria for selection and referred to 27 studies. The majority of the articles were cross-sectional (89%), approximately two-thirds of the articles (61%) examined only PA, and half of the articles (51%) employed device-based assessments. Approximately 47% of the articles reported the prevalence of physical inactivity on the basis of inconsistently defined recommendations. Approximately 14%, 23%, and 10% of the articles focused on active transportation, organized PA (including physical education or leisure-time PA), and parent-child PA, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies need to focus on longitudinal design and interventions, randomly selected samples, a mix of device-based and self-reported methods, and the recognition of health-related 24-hour time use patterns. This review advocates the government-supported development of a national surveillance system that will help to reduce insufficient PA and excessive SB.