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Physical Activity, Physical Fitness Levels, Daily Energy Intake and Some Eating Habits of 11-Year-Old Children
Marjeta Kovač
; Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana,
Janko Strel
; Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana,
Gregor Jurak
; Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana,
Bojan Leskošek
; Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana,
Saška Dremelj
; Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana,
Petra Kovač
; University Medical Centre Ljubljana,
Marjeta Mišigoj-Duraković
; Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb
Maroje Sorić
; Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb
Gregor Starc
; Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana,
Sažetak
The aim of this study was to analyse the relationships between energy intake, energy expenditure (physical activity), physical fitness, body mass index and certain eating habits (breakfast and snacks after 8 p.m.) of 11-year-old children.
A cluster sample of 72 children (35 boys and 37 girls), aged 11.8 (±0.3) years was used for this purpose. The measurements took place during two weekdays and two weekend days. Physical activity (energy expenditure) was assessed with multiple-sensor body monitors (SenseWear Armband; BodyMedia Inc., Pittsburgh, PA, USA). Energy intake and frequency of breakfast and snacks after 8 p.m. were assessed using a self-report questionnaire (My Pyramid Tracker Tutorial; USDA, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, USA). Physical fitness levels were evaluated according to the results of the tests: sit-ups, bent arm hang, 600 m run and 20 m endurance shuttle-run using the Eurofit protocols and peak VO2, which was measured with a Cosmed K4b2 portable gas analyser. A Pearson correlation coefficient was used to test the correlations between observed variables, and a multivariate analysis of variance was used to test the influence of certain eating habits (breakfast - regular and occasional; snacks after 8 p.m. - occasional and never) on physical fitness according to sex and age. Mann-Whitney test was used to analyse the differences in in the central tendency between boys and girls.
The results show that boys and girls, especially those with increased BMI, reported a one-third lower intake than reported in other studies. Girls were less physically active than boys. In both groups, the physical activity levels were higher during the week than on weekends, but the energy intakes were higher during the weekends. There were no statistically significant correlations between BMI and physical activity levels. BMI was significantly associated with all selected tests of physical fitness except the sit-ups test. The relationship between the frequency of the two observed meals, physical fitness and sex of the children was negligible.
We can conclude that the assessment of energy intake using a self-report questionnaire is problematic in this age group, especially among those with higher BMI. The measurements of physical activity levels showed that children should be more active during weekends.
Ključne riječi
BMI; breakfast; energy expenditure; evening snack; lifestyle of children; weekdays; weekends
Hrčak ID:
106520
URI
Datum izdavanja:
24.7.2013.
Posjeta: 2.173 *