No differences in physical activity between children with overweight and children of normal-weight

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in objectively measured physical activity and in self-reported physical activity between overweight and normal-weight children. Methods Data from a prospective cohort study including children, presenting at the participating general practices in the south-west of the Netherlands, were used. Children (aged 4–15 years) were categorized as normal-weight or overweight using age- and sex specific cut-off points. They wore an ActiGraph accelerometer for one week to register physical activity, and filled out a diary for one week about physical activity. Results A total of 57 children were included in this study. Overweight children spent significantly less percentage time per day in sedentary behavior (β − 1.68 (95%CI -3.129, − 0.07)). There were no significant differences in percentage time per day spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity (β 0.33 (− 0.11, 0.78)). No significant differences were found between children of normal-weight and overweight in self-reported measures of physical activity. Conclusions Overweight children are not less physically active than normal-weight children, which may be associated with the risen awareness towards overweight/obesity and with implemented interventions for children with overweight/obesity.

Çocukların Fiziksel Aktivite, Obezite Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi: Kayseri İli Örneği

“…Daha önceki dönemlerde yapılan çalışmalarda obezite genellikle fiziksel aktivite düzeyindeki yetersizlikle ilişkilendirilmekteydi (Haerens et al, 2007). Son dönemlerde yapılan araştırmalarda ise fazla kilolu veya obez çocukların daha düşük fiziksel aktivite düzeyine sahip olmadığı belirtilmektedir (Jago et al, 2020;Van Leeuwen et al, 2020). Fazla kilolu ve obez çocukların normal kilodaki çocuklarla benzer aktivite düzeyine sahip olmaları, günümüzde fiziksel aktivite ile ilgili oluşturulan farkındalık ve teşvik programlarıyla ilişkilendirilmektedir (Van Leeuwen et al, 2020).…”

“…Son dönemlerde yapılan araştırmalarda ise fazla kilolu veya obez çocukların daha düşük fiziksel aktivite düzeyine sahip olmadığı belirtilmektedir (Jago et al, 2020;Van Leeuwen et al, 2020). Fazla kilolu ve obez çocukların normal kilodaki çocuklarla benzer aktivite düzeyine sahip olmaları, günümüzde fiziksel aktivite ile ilgili oluşturulan farkındalık ve teşvik programlarıyla ilişkilendirilmektedir (Van Leeuwen et al, 2020). Ülkemizde de sağlık politikaları içinde de yer alan fiziksel aktivite teşvik programları ile çocuk ve yetişkinlerin fiziksel aktivite düzeyleri artırılmaya çalışılmakta ve konuyla ilgili farkındalıkları yükseltilmektedir.…”

A non‐adaptationist hypothesis of play behaviour

“…However, to date, there are no data to provide conclusive support for any of the hypotheses of indirect selection for play behaviour (Burghardt, 2014;Burghardt, 2005;Pellegrini et al, 2007). Furthermore, specifically with respect to surplus resource theory, it is pertinent that van Leeuwen et al (2020) found that in human children, there is no evidence to suggest a difference in the occurrence of physical activity between groups of obese individuals and lean individuals. Likewise, in their article on play behaviour in Belding's ground squirrel, Nunes et al (2004: p. 217) state that: 'Rates of feeding were greater among juveniles who engaged in both social and nonsocial play behaviour at low compared to high rates, suggesting that play does not help young animals expend excess energy that they consume' .…”

“…Furthermore, specifically with respect to surplus resource theory, it is pertinent that van Leeuwen et al. (2020) found that in human children, there is no evidence to suggest a difference in the occurrence of physical activity between groups of obese individuals and lean individuals. Likewise, in their article on play behaviour in Belding's ground squirrel, Nunes et al.…”

Role of Polyphenols in the Metabolism of the Skeletal System in Humans and Animals – A Review

“…In recent years, research studies have shown that osteoporosis in children and adolescents can be induced by obesity caused by overconsumption of a high-energy diet (with high content of unsaturated fatty acids and simple carbohydrates) or malnutrition (consumption of low energy diet) as well as lifestyle, e.g. low physical activity (Van Leeuwen et al, 2017;Fintini et al, 2020). Thus, it is obvious that the proper growth and functioning of the organism depends largely on bone growth and health.…”