Author(s): UVACSEK, M., WÁGNER, B., Institution: HUNGARIAN UNIVERSITY OF SPORTS SCIENCE, Country: HUNGARY, Abstract-ID: 322

INTRODUCTION:
Inactivity is the fourth most important risk factor for early death (WHO 2010). WHO’s aim for 2030 is to decrease inactivity by 15% (WHO 2018). Monitoring the different types of activities in children is the first essential step in order to achieve the global goal. The aim of the study was to collect data about primary school children’s physical activity. The questionnaire was compiled using the Global Matrix 4.0 indicators. We asked parents about the children’s overall physical activity, organized sport and physical activity, active transport and activity doing together, and their parental support.
METHODS:
In the online data collection, 677 parents (42.85±6.49 years old) provided information about 677 children (10.98±2.53 years old). Data were collected in spring 2023 using social media platforms and internet correspondence. The nutritional status categories were determined by WHO reference. Our questionnaire was edited with the Qualtrics program, and the data were analyzed using TIBCO 14.0 Statistics.
RESULTS:
Altogether, 77% of children achieved the 60-minute MVPA/day on average; the highest rate was 81% in the underweight children group, and the lowest (63%) was found in overweight children. 63% of children participated in organized sport or activity; the highest rate (67%) was found in the normal weight group and the lowest (51%) in obese children. Active transport was present at the same level in every group. Interestingly, the overweight and obese children’s rates (81%) were a bit higher than the others. Doing physical activity with parents was most characteristic in normal-weight children (73%) and the least in obese children (63%). The parental support for physical activity was also high, 83% in general, with the highest rate (88% in underweight children) and the lowest in the overweight group.
CONCLUSION:
The physical activity of children changed in a positive direction compared to previously published data. Active transport was chosen at a higher rate than before, and the data for family support also increased. Based on nutritional status, the data was not significantly different, which means that overweight and obese children had almost the same participation rate in sports activities as others.
WHO 2010: Global recommendations on physical activity for health. Geneva: World Health Organization ISBN 978 92 4 159 997 9
WHO 2018: Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2018. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO