Physical activity during the school day in public primary schools in Mexico City

Abstract

Objective. To quantify the physical activity (PA) of students and describe the school environment surrounding PA. Material and Methods. Between November 2005 and March 2006, in Mexico City, we conducted quantitative and qualitative observations to describe the PA and the school context. Results. Recess and physical education class (PE) were the only opportunities to participate in PA. PE occurred one time per week with a duration of 39.8±10.6 minutes which is less than national and international recommendations. Students participated in moderate-to-vigorous PA 29.2±17.8% of PE.The dynamics of PE did not promote the inclusion of all students or PA. During recess there was overcrowding of the school patio and no equipment for PA or organization of PA. Discussion. The PA of students in public schools in Mexico City can be improved by increasing the quantity and quality of PE and increasing opportunities for activity during recess.

Influence of parental perception of school safety and gender on children’s physical activity in Mexico: A cross sectional study

“…Girls living in neighborhoods that are perceived as unsafe have been found to have higher levels of overweight and obesity. 14 Carver and colleagues found that parental restriction of children's active transport and physical activity due to safety concerns resulted in lower levels of MVPA and active transport in adolescent girls. 15 Further investigation is necessary to determine whether these relationships are related to parental restriction of PA based on gender.…”

Contribution of formative research to design an environmental program for obesity prevention in schools in Mexico City

“…The physical activity results have been published elsewhere. [12][13] This article focuses on the healthy eating component.…”

“…At the organizational level, in addition to the physical activity intervention published elsewhere, 12,26 strategies to improve offerings of healthy food and water and to reduce opportunities to eat and availability of non-healthy food and beverages were selected.…”

Ability of a Game-Based Intervention to Promote Physical Activity in Mexican Children

“…Though it has been widely documented that physical activity is positively related to the reduction of obesity and cardiovascular risk [3][4][5][6], actual physical activity practice is very far from international recommendations in the Mexican children population. It has been reported for Mexico, that in the school environment there are few opportunities to do physical exercise of moderate or vigorous intensity and that the physical activity level decreases as school grades increment [7,8]. Lack of physical areas and environments that promote physical activity in school and nonschool spheres, may explain part of this problem [8].…”