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Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Kit BK, Flegal KM. Prevalence of Childhood and Adult Obesity in the United States, 2011-2012. JAMA 311(8): 806-814, 2014.

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Article

Relationship between After-School Physical Activity and Dietary Habits with Cardio-metabolic Risk in Low-income Children

1Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, U.S.A


Journal of Physical Activity Research. 2018, Vol. 3 No. 1, 28-34
DOI: 10.12691/jpar-3-1-5
Copyright © 2018 Science and Education Publishing

Cite this paper:
Sara A. Goodrum, Timothy A. Brusseau, Janet M. Shaw, Ryan D. Burns. Relationship between After-School Physical Activity and Dietary Habits with Cardio-metabolic Risk in Low-income Children. Journal of Physical Activity Research. 2018; 3(1):28-34. doi: 10.12691/jpar-3-1-5.

Correspondence to: Ryan  D. Burns, Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, U.S.A. Email: ryan.d.burns@utah.edu

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a major focus of public health. The purpose of this study was to determine whether after-school physical activity and dietary habits predict cardio-metabolic risk in a sample of ethnic minority elementary school-aged children from low-income schools. Participants were a convenience sample of 92 children (3rd-6th grades) recruited from four Title I schools located in a metropolitan area from the Mountain West region of the United States. Children completed portions of the After School Student Questionnaire (ASSQ) and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) to measure after-school physical activity and nutrition, respectively. Blood pressure, waist circumference and cardio-metabolic blood markers were collected in a fasted state to calculate a continuous metabolic syndrome (MetS) composite score. Predictive relationships were analyzed using a multiple linear regression model. Neither physical activity or nutrition scores were predictive of a MetS score. However, there was a linear, positive, and moderate correlation between physical activity and nutrition scores (r = 0.29, p < 0.05). The findings indicate that cardio-metabolic health cannot be predicted based on self-reported after-school physical activity and nutrition habits. There are many challenges that arise when analyzing cardio-metabolic health in children; however, this is an area of research that needs further analysis. A clearer understanding of these relationships can aid in identifying risk factors for disease at an earlier age and aid in future intervention development.

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