Observational studyBMC pediatrics2021
A cross-sectional, exploratory survey on health-relevant free-time activities and body mass index in preschool children in urban and rural settings of Austria.
Observational study in BMC pediatrics, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Geographic and ethnic inequalities in total and central obesity, and physical fitness among preschool children: Insights from the PREFIT project.Pediatric obesity · 2025Article
- Ongoing Increase in Incidence of Diabetes in Austrian Children and Adolescents (1989-2021): Results from a Nationwide Registry.Pediatric diabetes · 2023Article
- Sex and Rural/Urban Centre Location as Determinants of Body Image Self-Perception in Preschoolers.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
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3 authors.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe increasing prevalence of obesity is among the most relevant healthcare issues in Europe. The number of overweight people rises due to lifestyle changes, increased sitting activities, and less physical activity. Prevention in early childhood is paramount to stop this alarming trend.
aimThis study primarily aimed to evaluate the average time children (3-5 years) from rural and urban Austrian regions spent engaging in physical activity and sedentary behaviors in their free-time. Additionally, we investigated the potential correlation between duration and habits of free-time activity or place of residence and age- and sex-specific body mass index (BMI). The potential impact of socio-economic factors on BMI was examined.
methodsUrban (Vienna) and rural (Carinthia) regions of Austria were chosen for this observational cross-sectional study. Preschool children (n=130) attending nurseries in these regions were included. Weight and height were measured and BMI calculated. Free-time activity and socio-economic data were asked using a self-administered questionnaire. Data on sedentary behavior time (sedentary activity and media consumption) and physical activity time (defined as organized or spontaneous exercise) were analyzed using non-parametric tests.
resultsPreschool children spent approximately as many hours of their free-time engaged in physical activity as in sedentary behaviors. Time trend in media consumption amounts to one-third of the cumulative time spent engaging in sedentary behaviors. Preschoolers from the urban area spent fewer hours practicing organized exercise and more in sedentary behaviors than peers in the rural area. In the selected areas, 7 % of preschoolers were overweight, 3.9 % were obese. BMI was not associated with free-time activities but showed a trendwise negative correlation with organized exercise. A positive correlation of age and organized exercise was observed but not with physical activity per se.
conclusionsOur results confirm the necessity of preventive interventions among Austrian preschoolers and lead to a better understanding of their free-time activities. Further investigations with larger study populations are needed to promote effective childhood obesity prevention and examine the differences regarding obesity prevalence and leisure-time activity between rural and urban areas.
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