Physical activity levels and obesity status of Oregon Rural Elementary School children

Highlights

• Rural children (6–11 y) in Oregon exhibit high rates of overweight (38.1%) and obesity (19.4%).

• Rural children in Oregon exhibit low levels of PA at school (< 60 min/d of Total PA and < 20 min/d of MVPA).

• The level of MVPA children accrue at school is related to weight status among rural children in Oregon.

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the relationship between physical activity (PA, min/school-day) at school and body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) among rural elementary-aged children.

Methods

Height (cm), weight (kg), and PA were measured for 1767 children (5–12 years) enrolled in six rural Oregon elementary schools in fall, 2013. PA at school was measured over four days using Walk4Life pedometers. Children with ≥ 3 valid monitoring days (n = 1482) were included in analyses. Means (min/d) were calculated for wear time, total PA (TPA: combined light, moderate, vigorous PA), and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA: step count > 120/min). BMI z-scores were calculated and regression models were run to examine the relationship between PA and BMI z-scores, adjusting for wear time, sex, and grade.

Results

Overweight (38.1%: BMI ≥ 85^th percentile for age and sex) and obesity (19.4%: BMI ≥ 95^th percentile) prevalence was similar for boys (n = 782) and girls (n = 700). More MVPA was associated with lower BMI (P < 0.001), independent of sex, wear time or grade. Mean MVPA was 18.9 +/− 8 min/d, versus 15.2 +/− 6.7 min/d for healthy-weight and obese children, respectively.

Conclusions

Children are not meeting minimum MVPA recommendations (60 min/d) during school hours. Efforts to promote PA for obesity prevention in rural elementary schools should focus on increasing opportunities for MVPA.