Self-reported physical activity in comparison with anthropometric body fat indicators in school children

Introduction. Obesity is a public health problem associated with physical inactivity. Objective. Autoreported physical activity was related with anthropometric indicators of body fat in a group of school children. Materials and methods. The descriptive, cross-sectional study that included 1,593 children aged 10 to 14 years from Bogota and five provinces of central and eastern Colombia. Body weight, height, arm circumference and triceps skinfold were measured. Data on leisure time physical activity and type of activity were obtained by interview of each participant. Results. The proportion of children reporting no leisure time physical activity was high (19% in Bogota, 28% in the central-eastern areas). Low physical activity was characteristically higher in girls and associated with public schools (in contrast with private schools). Physical activity was not associated with anthropometric indicators. Conclusions. The lack of association between physical activity and body adiposity may be due to the method of inquiry where the physical activity being reported was insufficient to induce changes in body composition. Additional studies are necessary that evaluate in greater detail the frequency, intensity and duration of physical activity to provide more definitive conclusions. However, the higher prevalence of inactivity in girls and the differences by type school constitute causes for concern.