Diet and Physical Activity Patterns of Obese and Nonobese Elementary School Children

Abstract The caloric intake and physical activity patterns of 50 fifth grade students were studied to determine the relative contributions of diet and physical inactivity in the development of obesity. On the basis of tricep skinfold measurements, the subjects were divided into four groups or levels of obesity. Seven-day diet recall records were then obtained with the cooperation of the children's parents. Activity patterns were studied by filming the subjects during games of high and low organization and during free play. Indexes of the duration and intensity of activity were derived from the film analysis. The caloric intake and physical activity patterns of the four groups were compared by the Duncan Multiple Range Test. Using the combined scores for all groups, correlation coefficients were computed to determine the relationship between (1) skinfold measures and total caloric intake, (2) skinfold measures and activity patterns, and (3) total caloric intake and activity patterns. The relative inactivity of the obese children and the relatively similar diets of all children regardless of body fat, as well as the significant negative relationship between activity indexes and body fat tended to support the contention that inactivity may be as important or more important than excessive caloric intake in the development and maintenance of childhood obesity.