Physical activity level, enjoyment and academic self-efficacy in normal weight and overweight children

Aim: Obese children have an increased risk of developing chronic diseases. Lifestyle modifications prevent this condition by improving physical activity habits. Enjoyment (E), Physical Activity Level (PAL) and Academic Self Efficacy (ASE) might help to control body weight. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare E, PAL and ASE through validated questionnaires in normal weight and obese pupils. Method: Physical activity enjoyment scales (PACES; n = 11389) [1], the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall questionnaire (PDPAR; n = 9965) [2] and Self-efficacy questionnaire (ASP; n = 12188) [3] were administered to primary school students in grades 1–5 from 154 sampled schools of northwest Italy. Children were divided in 2 groups: normal weight plus underweight children (N); overweight plus obese children (O) according to Cole et al. classification (2000, 2007). Results: Similar results were found for E (PACES score 4.46 ± 0.58 vs. 4.44 ± 0.60, ns) and ASE (ASP score 3.90 ± 0.69 vs. 3.93 ± 0.69, ns) in N and O respectively. PAL level tended to be higher in O with respect to N (Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity min/day 74.68 ± 58.63 vs. 70.62 ± 56.29, P = 0.052). Conclusion: These results showed no substantial weight leverage on E, PAL and ASP in school pupils. Since motivation together with PAL and cognitive skills could be considerate a protective factor for health, it seems that both N and O children have similar chances to benefit from a physical activity intervention. Finally, O children reached very high E scores, suggesting that weight gain is an independent, not psychologically detrimental factor for promoting physical activity in this critical age