PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN AGED 6-10 IN POLAND

Abstract

Background. Physical activity (PA) is a primary stimulator of human psychosomatic development. Material and methods. The research analysis was based on data for children 6-10 years of age (n=908) attending primary schools in Poland, which were collected through indirect interviews from their parents. The research tool included an anonymous survey questionnaire for which the response rate was 20.8%. A value of p≤0.05 was taken to indicate statistical significance. Body Mass Index (BMI) was used for the assessment of the weight and height proportions. Results. Moderate PA of 3-5 hours per week had the highest percentage among girls and boys for type of PA. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which equates to 5-10 hours, was selected by 17.1-28.1% of girls, depending on body weight, and was most frequent among the group of obese girls. In the group of boys, MVPA=5-10 hours was 17.2-27.6% respectively, depending on body weight. This answer was most frequently selected by boys with normal body weight (27.6%). In the both groups of girls and boys, no statistically significant differences between nutritional status and time spent on PA were noted (girls: χ²=24.00; p=0.065; boys: χ²=19.33; p=0.199). The majority of children surveyed used sports facilities 2-4 times a week. This answer was most frequently chosen by the group of obese boys (51.7%) and girls (54.8%). Conclusions. Levels of PA among the children in this study was found to be insufficient, and the amount of PA did not have a statistically significant correlation with body weight.