Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of accelerometer measured physical activity levels of school-going children in Kampala city, Uganda

Tri-axial accelerometer-assessed physical activity and its association with weight status in a sample of elementary-school children

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Objective assessment of physical activity (PA) using accelerometers and pedometers has become more accurate and common practice in the study of childhood overweight. The study aimed: i) to compare PA levels and body shape of boys and girls, and assess compliance of active children with the PA recommendation; ii) to analyse associations between the risk of overweight and the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in children.

METHODS

The sample comprised 395 children (198 girls) aged 6-10 years. Height and weight were measured, and BMI was calculated subsequently. A tri-axial accelerometer was used to obtain seven consecutive days of MVPA, as well as the weekly time being sedentary. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the afore-mentioned relationship among the risk of obesity and MVPA, controlling for confounders.

RESULTS

After controlling for wearing time, boys spent significantly more minutes in the moderate-to-vigorous portion of PA than their female counterparts. About 47% of boys were active on week days by achieve the mean value of 60 min/day of MVPA; corresponding percentage for the weekend was just 32%. Among girls, only 22% were active on week days and 29% at the weekend. MVPA was not significantly associated with the risk of being overweight nor in female neither in male children. The final regression model revealed that girls of mothers with high educational level were less likely to be classified as overweight girls.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings revealed no significantly relation between MVPA and obesity risk among Portuguese children. Future research should extend similar design to other lifestyle features of children to clarify potential predictors of being overweight at early ages.

Factors associated with provision of physical activity in primary schools in Makindye Division in Kampala, Uganda: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Globally, school-going children spend most of their days at school, sitting in lessons and unable to achieve the daily WHO recommendations for Physical Activity (PA) of at least 60 minutes per day. Limited studies have assessed the opportunities schools provide for PA to help the children achieve their daily recommended PA. We determined the level of and the factors associated with PA offered in primary schools in Makindye Division in Kampala during the school term.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 36 selected government and private primary schools in Makindye Division, Kampala. PA was defined as the amount of time in minutes available for PA as per WHO recommendations - sufficient (60 minutes or more of PA) or insufficient (less than 60 minutes of PA) and assessed for any factors associated with provision of time for PA in schools. Data were collected by interview administered questionnaires and analysed descriptively. Factors associated with PA were assessed using a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Of the 36 schools, 3 were government and 33 were private schools. The proportion of schools offering sufficient time for PA among Primary schools in the Makindye Division was (8/36) 22%. The average time for PA for all schools per week was 197 minutes (SD 70.7). Sufficient PA was associated with the provision of PE lessons after a break or after lunch (p-value 0.038). Sufficient PA was more likely in schools that offered volleyball (OR 8.69), had space in the school for PA (OR 13.27), provided athletics (OR 2.26) and whose fees were Ushs 700,000 (USD 187) or more (OR 1.30).

CONCLUSIONS

Only 22% of sampled schools offered sufficient time for PA among Primary schools in Kampala per WHO guidelines. Provision of sufficient time for PA was associated with PE scheduled either after break or lunch. Sufficient PA was more likely with schools that had space for PA, schools which offered volleyball and athletics, and whose fees were 700,000/= or more. Schools should consider scheduling PE lessons after break or after lunch to increase the likelihood of meeting the targeted time for PA. Primary schools need to be supported to establish facilities and to increase diversity in available activities to ensure children achieve their recommended PA.

Associations between mild depression and anxiety and physical inactivity among school-going Ugandan adolescents aged 14 to 17 years

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate associations between physical activity levels and emotional and behavioural problems in school-going adolescents aged 14 to 17 years in Uganda.Methods: Two-hundred and five adolescents [median (interquartile range) age = 16.0 (1.0) years; female = 61.9%] completed the interviewer-administered Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7), and the Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) measure. Spearman's rho correlations and Mann-Whitney U-tests were applied.Results: Among 205 adolescents, 97.1% were physically inactive (PAVS < 420min/week), while 64.4% reported either mild depressive (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) or anxiety (GAD-7 ≥ 5) symptoms. Higher PAVS scores correlated significantly with lower SDQ emotional problems (ρ = -0.23, p < 0.001), lower PHQ-9 (ρ = -0.26, p < 0.001), and lower GAD-7 (ρ = -0.22, p < 0.001) scores. Those with emotional problems (SDQ ≥ 5) (n = 86) were significantly less physically active than those without (n = 119) [30.0 (62.5) versus 60.0 (105.0) min/week, p < 0.001]. Those with depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 5) were significantly less physically active than those without [35.0 (70.0) versus 60.0 (120.0) min/week, p < 0.001].Conclusion: Physical inactivity and mental health problems are related important public health concerns in school-going adolescents in low-income countries such as Uganda. The efficacy and effectiveness of school-based mental health literacy programs, including physical activity promotion, should be explored in these low-resource settings.

Proportion of School Attending Adolescents Meeting the Recommended Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Level and Its Predictors in Lagos, Nigeria

We aimed to assess the proportion of school attending adolescents who reached the recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) level in Lagos State, Nigeria, as well as the predictors associated with it. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 720 adolescents aged 12-19 years from 20 schools in Lagos State in 2020. MVPA level was assessed using the Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents. Predictors assessed were socio-demographic variables, anthropometric measurements, sedentary behaviour, self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and perceived barriers. Complete data was provided by 528 adolescents for the study (73% response rate). The recommended MVPA level was reached by 82.8% (95% CI 79.3-85.7) of the participants. Participants spent a median time of 44 (IQR 12.9, 110) minutes of MVPA per day on household-based activities, followed by school-based activities (21.4; 4.3, 50.4), active transportation (14.3; 0, 35), sport-based activities (8.6; 0, 58.9) and leisure-based activities (8.6; 1.1, 34.3). Participants in public schools were four times more likely to meet the recommended MVPA level compared to those in private schools (OR 3.97, 95% CI 2.46-6.42). A high proportion of school adolescents met the recommended MVPA level in Lagos State, Nigeria. Our study suggests that interventions for promoting MVPA should be targeted to private schools.