Physical activity, weight status and diet in adolescents: are children meeting the guidelines?

Boyle, Spencer, Jones, Georgina and Walters, Stephen (2010) Physical activity, weight status and diet in adolescents: are children meeting the guidelines? Health, 2 (10). pp. 1142-1149. ISSN 1949-4998

[img]
Preview
PDF (Article)
Health20101000001_58912979.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike.

Download (1MB) | Preview
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/health.2010.210167

Abstract

Childhood obesity is on the increase and maintaining regular physical activity and consuming a healthy diet have become essential tools to combat the condition. The United Kingdom government has recommended guidelines for optimal levels of diet and activity in children. The aim of this paper is to describe and compare self-reported physical activity levels, diet, and Body Mass Indices (BMI) amongst adolescent children, aged 11-15, in the South West (SW) and North West (NW) regions of England and to see if these children were meeting the current targets for optimal levels of: physical activity; fruit/vegetable consumption; fat consumption and BMI. We report the results of a cross-sectional survey of four secondary schools and 1,869 children using the self-reported Western Australian Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Nutrition Survey (CAPANS) physical activity instrument and a food intake screener questionnaire, in summer and winter. We found that 25% (469/1869) 95% CI: 23% to 27%, of children engaged in 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day; 53% (995/1866) 95% CI: 51% to 56%, took 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day; while 22% (407/1861) 95% CI: 20% to 24% consumed recommended amount of fats, and 23.7% (276/1164) 95% CI: 21% to 26%, of pupils were obese or overweight as classified by their BMI. Self reported physical activity in young people regardless of area is lower than previously reported and the lack of students engaging in 60 minutes moderate to vigorous activity could have serious public health consequences. If sustained, this could lead to more overweight adults, and more ill health.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Physical activity, diet, exercise, adolescents, guidelines
Subjects: C600 Sports Science
Department: Faculties > Health and Life Sciences > Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation
Depositing User: Dr Spencer Boyle
Date Deposited: 19 Apr 2013 14:02
Last Modified: 17 Dec 2023 14:18
URI: https://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/12320

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics