Assessment of anthropometric indicators in children and adolescents with low physical activity

Abstract

Objective: To assess the anthropometric indicators of children and adolescents with a low level of habitual physical activity. Materials and methods. A total of 640 children (306 girls and 334 boys) were examined at the following age stages: Stage 1 – preschool period at 6–7 years old, Stage 2 – school period at 8–9 years old, and Stage 3 – adolescence. The pedometry method and anthropometric measurements with index calculations were used to assess the level of physical activity; evaluations were conducted using percentile tables. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Office Excel and Statistica 26.0. Results. Constitutional characteristics of anthropometric indicators were identified in the sample of children with low habitual physical activity. A trend toward an increase in excess body weight was revealed in the pediatric population: 10.7% of boys and 10.3% of girls in the older preschool group, 15.6% of boys and 13.7% of girls in the younger school-age group, and 18.6% of boys and 18.3% of girls during adolescence. The level of physical activity in these groups corresponded to the 5th–10th percentile range ("very low level"). Conclusion. The analysis revealed a significant number of children with excess body weight and low levels of physical activity. The findings underscore the necessity of assessing habitual physical activity levels alongside morphological characteristics.