Physical Activity and Physical Competence in Overweight and Obese Children: An Intervention Study

Milena Morano, Claudio Robazza, Laura Bortoli, Irene Rutigliano, Montse C. Ruiz and Angelo Campanozzi
Additional contact information
Milena Morano: Parisi-De Sanctis Institute, MIUR (Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research), 71121 Foggia, Italy
Claudio Robazza: BIND-Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy
Laura Bortoli: BIND-Behavioral Imaging and Neural Dynamics Center, Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66013 Chieti, Italy
Irene Rutigliano: Pediatrics, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, 71013 San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
Montse C. Ruiz: Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
Angelo Campanozzi: Pediatrics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-11

Abstract: With the current obesity epidemic and the decline of fitness among school-aged children, the importance of obesity interventions to promote physical activity and healthy habits has become indisputable. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a school-based multicomponent intervention in increasing physical activity (PA) levels, actual physical abilities, and perceived physical abilities in clinical and nonclinical samples of overweight/obese boys and girls aged 10–12 years. The clinical intervention group ( n = 35) participated in a 7-month after-school program in addition to curricular physical education lessons, while the nonclinical control group ( n = 29) received usual curricular lessons. Measures included levels of PA and fitness and individual’s perceptions of physical ability. After treatment, the intervention group showed improved PA levels, perceived physical ability, and throwing and jumping task performances compared to the control group. Results indicate that a multicomponent program can improve levels of PA, fitness, and perceived competence of overweight participants. Findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive healthy lifestyle program that includes physical, psychosocial, and behavioral factors and suggest practical implications for educators, trainers, and teachers in identifying best practices targeting childhood obesity.

Keywords: obesity; school-based intervention; actual physical abilities; fitness; perceived physical abilities; healthy habits (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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