Effect of Physical Activity on Obesity in Second Stage Pupils of Elementary Schools in Northwest Bohemia

Abstract

Obesity is a serious problem in our society. An evaluation of obesity development performed in the second half of the previous century already indicated a long-term positive trend in terms of body weight increase in children and the youth, which still persists today. Paediatric obesity arises from a changed lifestyle of children, characterised by an important restriction of their spontaneous physical activity. A lack of physical activity is one of the most important causes of paediatric obesity, which associated with a number of serious disorders. In the current study, the incidence of obesity and overweight as well as the relationship between physical activity and obesity in second stage pupils of elementary schools in northwest Bohemia is presented. The data collection was based on questions from the NAS 2001 questionnaire (nationwide anthropological survey) and BMI-for-age. 2001. NAS 2001 is a questionnaire for children and evaluates areas focused on engagement in physical activities and other daily activities, eating habits, drinking regime and care of the body habitus. Problems with obesity and overweight are present, particularly in boys. Only a third of boys and girls engage in sufficient physical activity. Differences were shown in the study group, where groups with higher BMI values had lower values of physical activity. Subsequently, a relationship was shown between those who use their bicycle as a means of transport and spend their leisure time bicycling at the same time. More than two-thirds of the study subjects reported using a bicycle as a means of transport and using their bicycle in their leisure time as a means of being active; 93% of these subjects had normal body weight. Our results confirm the continued pandemic prevalence of obesity and indicate that appropriate physical activity should be included in the everyday life of children both at school and outside of school.

Environmental Barriers as a Determining Factor of Physical Activity

“…In addition, infrastructure can be improved so that people could use active transport such as bicycles or scooters, especially those who have less time or do not like to walk [42]. In fact, a correlation was demonstrated between those who use their bicycle as a means of transport and those who also use it in their free time [44]. In line with this, the WHO recommends "implementing environmental policies that influence the means of transport used by the population, or that increase the public space available for recreational activities, which can improve their levels of physical activity and therefore provide important health benefits" [45] (p. 35).…”

Losing Weight through Regular Exercise among Overweight/Obesity Women Aged 35-45 years

“…This shows that irregular exercise did not affect weight loss or BMI in overweight or obese women. Energy expenditure due to exercise is highly dependent on the type of exercise (aerobic, resistant training, or a combination of both), intensity (mild-moderate), duration (45-60 minutes), frequency (5-7 times per week), and performed regularly (Pyšná et al, 2020).…”

“…Physical activity or exercise has long been recognized as an effective way to increase energy expenditure and reduce body fat deposits in obese or overweight people, with or without dietary restrictions (Fernandez et al, 2004). Physical activity boosts energy metabolism and adipose tissue metabolism, both of which are linked to obesity (Pyšná et al, 2020). Obesity risk is reduced by aerobic exercise, resistance training, or a combination (Brellenthin et al, 2021).…”

Physical Activity and BMI before and after the Situation Caused by COVID-19 in Upper Primary School Pupils in the Czech Republic

“…The significant reduction in the number of children playing sports in clubs with competitive training during the second data collection after the period of antipandemic measures was probably amplified by the influence of risky behaviour of children during adolescence. According to Pyšná et al [ 66 ], puberty is considered the most dynamic transformation in an individual’s life, affecting all components of an individual’s personality. Pubescents show increased excitability, moodiness, absentmindedness, and affective reactions.…”