Evaluating the Influence of Weight Status and Gender on Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Physical Education Lessons: A Cross-Sectional Study

Al-Hadabi B., Yetgin M. K., DERVENT F., Aljuhani O.

Healthcare (Switzerland), cilt.13, sa.5, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 13 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/healthcare13050562
  • Dergi Adı: Healthcare (Switzerland)
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: accelerometer, childhood obesity, MVPA, physical activity, physical education, sedentary
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background/Objectives: Low physical activity (PA) and excessive sedentary time negatively impact health, contributing to obesity. Physical education (PE) can help reduce the risk of obesity in schoolchildren. This cross-sectional study objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time during PE in Türkiye, examining the influence of weight status and gender. Method: Accelerometers measured MVPA in 274 children and adolescents (ages 10–14, 49.6% girls). Sedentary time and MVPA were classified based on accelerometer count per 15 s (sedentary: <25; MVPA: ≥574). A two-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) assessed body mass index (BMI) and gender effects on MVPA and sedentary time. Results: Students spent 44.5% of PE time sedentary and 43.2% in MVPA, below the recommended 50% of PE in MVPA. Only 45.6% met this target (44.2% males and 47.1% females). Overweight/obese students had higher sedentary time, while normal-weight students engaged in more MVPA (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Students did not meet the recommended 50% of PE in MVPA. Increasing MVPA and reducing sedentary time during PE is particularly important for overweight/obese students. Physical education intervention should target students in co-educational classes.