Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-mkpzs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-26T19:05:26.352Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Physical activity and diet in 5 to 7 years old children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2007

Manfred James Müller*
Affiliation:
Institut für Humanernährung und Lebensmittelkunde, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 14, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
Inga Koertzinger
Affiliation:
Institut für Humanernährung und Lebensmittelkunde, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 14, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
Mareike Mast
Affiliation:
Institut für Humanernährung und Lebensmittelkunde, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 14, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
Kristina Langnäse
Affiliation:
Institut für Humanernährung und Lebensmittelkunde, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 14, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
Andreas Grund
Affiliation:
Institut für Humanernährung und Lebensmittelkunde, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 14, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
*
*Corresponding author: Email: [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.
Objective:

To assess the possible associations between physical activity, diet, social state and overweight in children.

Design:

Crossectional study on 1468 children aged between 5 and 7 years old in Kiel, northwest Germany.

Methods:

Assessment of physical activity and social factors by a questionnaire, food frequency record, body composition analysis by anthropometrics and bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Results:

23% of our children were overweight or obese. Low levels of physical activity (as assessed by TV viewing time) were associated with increased body mass index and a higher prevalence of overweight. TV-viewing of more than 1 h per day was associated with a high consumption fast food, sweets, chips and pizza whereas fruits and vegetables were less frequently consumed. Overweight, inactivity and unhealthy eating habits were seen more frequently in families with a low social status.

Conclusions:

In 5 to 7 years old children, overweight is associated with physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits and a low social status. Primary prevention efforts should be directed to low income families.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © CABI Publishing 1999

References

1 Obesity Preventing and imaging a global epidemic. Report of a WHO Consultation on Obesity, World Health Organization, Geneva, 1987.Google Scholar
2Jeffery, RW. Prevention of Obesity. In: Bray, G, Bouchard, C, James, WPT, eds. Handbook of Obesity. New York, Marcel Dekker, 1998.Google Scholar
3Mast, M, Körtzinger, I, Müller, MJ. Ernährunsverhalten und Ernährungszustand 5–7 jähriger Kiner in Kiel (Nutrition and Nutritional State of 5–7 year old Children in Kiel). Aktuelle Ernährungsmedizin 1998; 23: 282–8.Google Scholar
4Mast, M, Körtzinger, I, König, E, Müller, MJ. Gender differences in fat masses of 5–7 year old children. Int. J. Obes. 1998; 22: 878–84.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5Reinken, L, Stolley, H, Droese, W, van Oost, G. Longitudinale Körper-entwicklung gesunder Kinder. II. Größe, Gewicht, Hautfettfalten von Kindern im Alter von 1,5 bis 16 Jahren. Klein Pädiat. 1980; 192: 2533.Google Scholar
6Kersting, M, Ravussin, E, Schöch, G. Optimierte Mischkost als Präventionsernährung für Kinder und Jugendliche. (Optimized mixed diet as prevention for children and adolescents). Ernährungs-Umschau 1993; 40: 164–8.Google Scholar