Physical Activity among School-children: a Transversal Study

Abstract

The results of a cross-sectional survey of 5th and 8th grade schoolchildren of physical excercise and other factors related to health are presented. A representative sample of 2215 schoolchildren was surveyed. Physical activity levels were low or very low in 21.1% of the boys and 49.2% of the girls in 5th grade, while these proportions were 12.5% and 45.9% in 8th grade. Most children bore positive attitudes towards sports, and recognized the relationship between physical activity and health. Through a discriminant analysis variables featuring these schoolchildren with higher activity levels were identified. They were: being male and eighth grade, strongly supporting sports and physical activity, a higher socioeconomic status (S.E.S.), and other health-related habits, such as being a no-smoker or having got drunk twice or more times in the last six months. The results are discussed, as well a their implications for health promotion and sports programs in school settings.