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

Aim: Obese children have an increased risk of developing chronic\r\ndiseases. Lifestyle modifications prevent this condition by improving\r\nphysical activity habits. Enjoyment (E), Physical Activity Level\r\n(PAL) and Academic Self Efficacy (ASE) might help to control body\r\nweight. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare E, PAL and ASE\r\nthrough validated questionnaires in normal weight and obese pupils.\r\nMethod: Physical activity enjoyment scales (PACES; n = 11389)\r\n[1], the Previous Day Physical Activity Recall questionnaire (PDPAR;\r\nn = 9965) [2] and Self-efficacy questionnaire (ASP; n = 12188) [3]\r\nwere administered to primary school students in grades 1–5 from 154\r\nsampled schools of northwest Italy. Children were divided in 2\r\ngroups: normal weight plus underweight children (N); overweight\r\nplus obese children (O) according to Cole et al. classification (2000,\r\n2007).\r\nResults: Similar results were found for E (PACES score 4.46 ± 0.58\r\nvs. 4.44 ± 0.60, ns) and ASE (ASP score 3.90 ± 0.69 vs.\r\n3.93 ± 0.69, ns) in N and O respectively. PAL level tended to be\r\nhigher in O with respect to N (Moderate to Vigorous Physical\r\nActivity min/day 74.68 ± 58.63 vs. 70.62 ± 56.29, P = 0.052).\r\nConclusion: These results showed no substantial weight leverage on\r\nE, PAL and ASP in school pupils. Since motivation together with\r\nPAL and cognitive skills could be considerate a protective factor for\r\nhealth, it seems that both N and O children have similar chances to\r\nbenefit from a physical activity intervention. Finally, O children\r\nreached very high E scores, suggesting that weight gain is an independent,\r\nnot psychologically detrimental factor for promoting\r\nphysical activity in this critical age