Weight status, physical activity, and fitness among third-grade rural children

BACKGROUND: Rural children are at a particular high risk for obesity. Given the importance of exercise in obesity and chronic disease prevention, this study evaluated the level and relationship between physical activity and fitness in a sample of rural third graders. The second purpose of the study was to determine potential differences in physical activity and fitness level by weight status in this sample. METHODS: Twelve schools participating in a multidisciplinary research project were randomly selected for the study. Body mass index‐for‐age percentile, the modified Self‐administered Physical Activity Checklist, and the FITNESSGRAM battery tests were utilized to determine children's weight status, physical activity, and fitness level, respectively. RESULTS: Thirty‐eight percent of the 237 participating children (9.2 ± 0.4 years) were overweight or obese. Nearly 15% were extremely obese. Children spent 91.8 ± 83.8 and 32.2 ± 47.7 minutes in moderate‐ and vigorous‐intensity activities. Obese children spent less time in moderate‐intensity activity (p < .01) and combined moderate‐ and vigorous‐intensity activity more than other children (p < .05). Forty‐three percent of all children failed to meet the fitness standard for muscular strength and 36% failed to meet it for flexibility. CONCLUSIONS: Rural children in this sample had higher rates of obesity compared to the national average; they had poor fitness and 30% failed to meet the minimum physical activity recommendations on the previous day. Future interventions should focus on increasing physical activity, especially of moderate‐intensity, and improving physical fitness in order to reduce obesity and decrease the risk of future chronic diseases in this high‐risk population.