Overweight children do less physical activity

02.2025
Author Dr. Martin Claßen, Bremen

Excess weight and obesity are becoming the biggest health problems in Western Europe. They are caused by dietary habits and are associated with reduced physical activity, a sedentary lifestyle and insufficient sleep. To research these influences further, the physical activity of children from the Czech Republic aged between 3 and 10 was investigated. 381 children (49.9% female) were monitored continuously over 7 days with an accelerometer on their wrist to identify when they were sitting down, doing physical activity and sleeping. In total, 24 girls (12.7%) and 28 boys (14.8%) were overweight, while 14 (f) and 8 (m) were obese. There were no significant differences between the normal-weight and overweight groups in terms of sex, age, family socioeconomic status or existence of obesity in parents. The study found significant differences in time spent sitting down (472 minutes for normal-weight children, 503 minutes for overweight children) and in physical activity (414 minutes to 392 minutes), with no relevant differences in amount of sleep. Normal-weight children were active for 22 minutes more a day (p = 0.014) and spent 31 minutes less resting (p = 0.002).

Comment: The prevalence of obesity in this study is comparable to that in Germany. The study shows that it is more than just excessive calorie intake that leads to obesity; exercise habits and everyday physical activities also play a role. Of course, the study cannot prove a causal link between little exercise and obesity – it may be that being overweight hinders exercise. However, my conclusion is that lack of exercise contributes to obesity becoming chronic, and that lifestyle changes are necessary in order to treat obesity. These include reducing calorie intake, regularly doing endurance sport, reducing the amount of time spent sitting on the sofa and increasing the amount of physical activity done every day. Children should be encouraged to walk or cycle to school, take the stairs, play games with friends, and find ways to enjoy exercise in any form. And of course, the harmful incentives to sit down, such as screens, need to be counteracted. Use of accelerometers to monitor everyday activities is something that could be integrated into treatment plans for people who are overweight.

Reference:
Sigmund E, Voráčová J, Dygrýn J, Vorlíček M, Sigmundová D. Comparative Analysis of 24-h Movement Behaviours in Non-Overweight and Overweight/Obese Children: Findings from the FAMIly Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Sleep (FAMIPASS). Children (Basel). 2024 Oct 27;11(11):1298. doi: 10.3390/children11111298