The Intention to be Physically Active in Sedentary Obese Children: A Longitudinal Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Obesity
• Behavioral Science
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Obese children often exhibit lower activity levels compared to normal-weight peers, with underlying reasons needing further investigation.
• Understanding factors influencing physical activity intention is crucial for developing effective interventions in pediatric obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term impact of a physical exercise program, with or without a hypocaloric diet, on sedentary obese children's intention to be physically active.
• To assess the sustainability of increased intention to be physically active following a detraining period.

Main Methods:

• A 3-year intervention study involving 27 obese children (ages 8-11) divided into two groups: exercise only, and exercise plus hypocaloric diet.
• Physical activity intention was measured using the Measurement of Intention to be Physically Active (MIFA) questionnaire at baseline, Year 3, and after a 6-month detraining period.
• Repeated-measures ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test were employed for statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• Both intervention groups demonstrated a significant increase in the intention to be physically active after 3 years of the program.
• This enhanced intention to be physically active was maintained even after a 6-month detraining period, indicating lasting effects.

Conclusions:

• Long-term physical exercise interventions are effective in enhancing obese children's intention to be physically active.
• Such programs, potentially combined with dietary modifications, can serve as a foundation for establishing lifelong healthy habits, including sustained physical activity.