Physical activity level and sedentary behavior in overweight or obese children

Abstract

Objective: to identify the physical activity level (PAL) and sedentary behavior (SB) of overweight or obesity children and to verify the meet of PA recommendations.

Material and Methods: cross-sectional study, composed of children was born between 2006 and 2009, with BMI above the 85th percentile. Accelerometers were used to measure PAL, SB, and number of steps/day, Vo2Max was estimated by Shuttle Run test. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare groups (boys vs girls) and Chi square test to compare proportions.

Results and Conclusions: 48 children participated in this study, with a mean age of 9.17 years (SD = 1.03), the PAL for both sexes was below the recommendations and the time in SB showed higher values than recommended. Most of the boys and girls did not meet the values proposed by the World Health Organization. The boys showed higher values for all the variables analyzed and met the recommendations for moderate to vigorous physical activity at the weekend in greater proportion than the girls.