ABSTRACT
The socioeconomic and built environment of an area are interrelated with health data and have a direct influence on children's development. There are facilitators and barriers for schools to promote physical activity depending on the socioeconomic status of the school. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between physical activity and sleep and the socioeconomic level of children in the Basque Country. The sample consisted of 1139 schoolchildren between the ages of six and seventeen (566 boys and 573 girls) from 75 schools (43 public and 32 private). Differences between groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test (two samples), Kruskal-Wallis one-factor ANOVA (k samples), and Spearman's Rho correlation. There are sex differences in light (200.8 ± 62.5 vs. 215.9 ± 54.7) and moderate (69.0 ± 34.3 vs. 79.9 ± 32.1) physical activity in favour of the female group of higher socioeconomic status compared to male group of higher socioeconomic status. In the case of vigorous physical activity, the female group performed less than the male group across all socioeconomic statuses, which was statistically significant in the groups of high socioeconomic status (11.6 ± 9.3 vs. 6.9 ± 5.7) in group 2 and medium socioeconomic status (11.1 ± 9.3 vs. 7.7 ± 6.1) in group 3. There is an inverse relationship between sedentary behaviour and BMI, total bed time, total sleep time, and night-time awakenings. There is also an inverse relationship between all levels of physical activity performed with respect to BMI and total sleep efficiency. These data point towards notable inequalities in physical activity and daily sleep in Basque schoolchildren, which in turn may be marginalised in our current school system due to the effects of the socioeconomic environment.
ABSTRACT
There is strong evidence to support the association between daily physical activity and sleep parameters in children and adolescents. Physical activity and outdoor play are favourably associated with most sleep outcomes in school children. The aim is to find out the levels of physical activity and the quality of sleep in Basque schoolchildren aged between six and seventeen and to analyse the possible differences between those who carry out some kind of physical sports activity and those who do not. The sample consisted of 1082 schoolchildren (50.1% male and 49.9% female). Differences between groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test (2 samples) and Kruskal-Wallis one-factor ANOVA (k samples). A total of 723 (66.94%) of the participants said they practiced some physical sports activity. The accelerometers obtained significant differences in all levels of physical activity, as well as in sleep efficiency, with higher levels of physical activity (sedentary p = 0.001; light p = 0.017; moderate p = 0.009; vigorous p = 0.001 and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity p = 0.002) and better sleep efficiency (p = 0.002) in those schoolchildren who perform some type of physical sports activity. A significant difference in time spent in sedentary activities was also observed between primary and secondary school pupils of both sexes and regardless of the degree of physical sports activity completion.
Subject(s)
Sedentary Behavior , Sports , Child , Adolescent , Humans , Male , Female , Exercise , Schools , SleepABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity and sedentary behavior are increasingly common problems in the general population, which can lead to overweight, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and decreased motor and cognitive capacity among children and adolescents. Establishing healthy habits in childhood on the basis of the World Health Organization's 2020 Physical Activity Guidelines is essential for proper physical, motor, and cognitive development. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of this study is to describe the level of physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior, and sleep of the child and adolescent population from 6 to 17 years of age in the Basque Autonomous Community (BAC). Our secondary aim is to establish a starting point for future research and intervention protocols to improve the existing reality. METHODS: This cross-sectional study aims to recruit 1111 children and adolescents, aged 6 to 17 years from the BAC in a representative random sample. Participants will wear the ActiGraph WGT3X-BT triaxial accelerometer for 7 consecutive days in their nondominant wrist, and fill out a habit diary log of PA, mobility, and sleep routine. PA intensities, sedentary behavior, and sleep parameters (total bedtime, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency) will be calculated from raw accelerometer data using SPSS (IBM Corp). Participants will be randomly selected. RESULTS: The results of this study intend to demonstrate significant differences in PA levels in different age and gender groups since the volume of school PA in the BAC decreases as the age of the schoolchildren increases. The total study sample includes 1111 participants. In April 2021, up to 50% of the sample size was reached, which is expected to increase to 100% by April 2022. This sample will allow us to analyze, discuss, compare, and assess the reality of the school population, in a sensitive period of adherence to behavior patterns, using data from the geographical and administrative area of the BAC. This study will provide a realistic insight into PA levels among children and adolescents in the BAC. It will also offer scientific contributions on the positive relationship between PA levels and sleep quality in this population. CONCLUSIONS: This study might highlight the need for the promotion of cross-sectional policies so that children and adolescents may increase their levels of PA, thus improving both the school environment and positive healthy behavior. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN65573865; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN65573865. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/31325.