Abstract
Aim The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours could explain observed differences in the prevalence of childhood obesity in a sample of Greek children. Methods Epidemiological study. PA and sedentary behaviours were assessed by a self-administrated PA checklist. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured weight and height. A representative sample of Greek children aged 10-12 years attending fifth and sixth grade (n = 3195), living in rural and urban areas, were enrolled. Maturation status was not evaluated due to technical reasons. Results Prevalence of obesity was higher among children living in rural areas as compared with urban areas (12.1% vs. 10.7%, P < 0.01). Surprisingly, children living in rural areas had higher levels of self-reported PA (P < 0.001) and met current PA guidelines to a greater extent than their urban counterparts (P < 0.05). Furthermore, boys had higher levels of total, low-to-moderate intensity and vigorous intensity physical activity, as well as sedentary behaviours, than girls (all P-values <0.05). Stratified analysis by BMI category revealed that normal weight boys and girls had higher levels of total PA and vigorous intensity physical activity compared with overweight and obese boys from the same type of setting (all P-values <0.05). Conclusions Children living in rural areas have higher levels of PA and more frequently met PA guidelines than their urban counterparts, despite a higher prevalence of obesity.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 769-774 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 2013 |
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Keywords
- children
- obesity
- physical activity
- rural
- urban
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
Cite this
Higher prevalence of obesity in Greek children living in rural areas despite increased levels of physical activity. / Tambalis, Konstantinos D.; Panagiotakos, Demosthenes B.; Kavouras, Stavros A.; Papoutsakis, Sofia; Sidossis, Labros S.
In: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, Vol. 49, No. 9, 09.2013, p. 769-774.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Higher prevalence of obesity in Greek children living in rural areas despite increased levels of physical activity
AU - Tambalis, Konstantinos D.
AU - Panagiotakos, Demosthenes B.
AU - Kavouras, Stavros A.
AU - Papoutsakis, Sofia
AU - Sidossis, Labros S.
PY - 2013/9
Y1 - 2013/9
N2 - Aim The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours could explain observed differences in the prevalence of childhood obesity in a sample of Greek children. Methods Epidemiological study. PA and sedentary behaviours were assessed by a self-administrated PA checklist. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured weight and height. A representative sample of Greek children aged 10-12 years attending fifth and sixth grade (n = 3195), living in rural and urban areas, were enrolled. Maturation status was not evaluated due to technical reasons. Results Prevalence of obesity was higher among children living in rural areas as compared with urban areas (12.1% vs. 10.7%, P < 0.01). Surprisingly, children living in rural areas had higher levels of self-reported PA (P < 0.001) and met current PA guidelines to a greater extent than their urban counterparts (P < 0.05). Furthermore, boys had higher levels of total, low-to-moderate intensity and vigorous intensity physical activity, as well as sedentary behaviours, than girls (all P-values <0.05). Stratified analysis by BMI category revealed that normal weight boys and girls had higher levels of total PA and vigorous intensity physical activity compared with overweight and obese boys from the same type of setting (all P-values <0.05). Conclusions Children living in rural areas have higher levels of PA and more frequently met PA guidelines than their urban counterparts, despite a higher prevalence of obesity.
AB - Aim The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours could explain observed differences in the prevalence of childhood obesity in a sample of Greek children. Methods Epidemiological study. PA and sedentary behaviours were assessed by a self-administrated PA checklist. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from measured weight and height. A representative sample of Greek children aged 10-12 years attending fifth and sixth grade (n = 3195), living in rural and urban areas, were enrolled. Maturation status was not evaluated due to technical reasons. Results Prevalence of obesity was higher among children living in rural areas as compared with urban areas (12.1% vs. 10.7%, P < 0.01). Surprisingly, children living in rural areas had higher levels of self-reported PA (P < 0.001) and met current PA guidelines to a greater extent than their urban counterparts (P < 0.05). Furthermore, boys had higher levels of total, low-to-moderate intensity and vigorous intensity physical activity, as well as sedentary behaviours, than girls (all P-values <0.05). Stratified analysis by BMI category revealed that normal weight boys and girls had higher levels of total PA and vigorous intensity physical activity compared with overweight and obese boys from the same type of setting (all P-values <0.05). Conclusions Children living in rural areas have higher levels of PA and more frequently met PA guidelines than their urban counterparts, despite a higher prevalence of obesity.
KW - children
KW - obesity
KW - physical activity
KW - rural
KW - urban
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84883781984&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84883781984&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/jpc.12253
DO - 10.1111/jpc.12253
M3 - Article
C2 - 23724863
AN - SCOPUS:84883781984
VL - 49
SP - 769
EP - 774
JO - Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
JF - Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
SN - 1034-4810
IS - 9
ER -