Patterns of Physical Activity in Primary School Children:
The Effect of Ethnicity
Eyre, ELJ1. Smith, E1. Kumar, S1. Wagenmakers, AJ2. Matyka, KA1.
1 The University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School, UK
2 The University of Birmingham, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, UK
Physical activity (median cpm)
Study Aim
To objectively assess differences in daily physical activity within and
between ethnic groups of children, using combined measures.
Method
Study design: The study used a cross sectional design across primary
schools in Coventry (UK), a multi ethnic, deprived city
Sample: The preliminary sample consisted of 122 (57 White EU, 36 South
Asian, 29 other ethnic) children (mean age ± SD = 8.5 ± 0.5). Head
teachers were contacted and letters of interest were sent to all children in
year 4. An information day was organised to inform children and parents
of the study in detail. Following informed consent children wore a
combined heart rate and activity (Actiheart, UK) monitor for 7 days.
Data collected/analysis: An inclusion criteria of 4 days (2 weekday, 2
weekend) was included in the analysis. Mean waking hour daily activity
(cpm) were calculated. Tests for normality were performed. Wilcoxon
signed-rank test was used to compare daily physical activity differences in
ethnic groups. A Mann Whitney U test was also used to assess daily
physical activity differences between ethnic groups. All statistics were
performed using SPSS 17
160
*** >0.001
** <0.01
* <0.05
140
**
120
*
**
*
**
**
100
80
60
40
20
0
All
School Day
White EU
South Asian
After School
Weekday
Other Ethnic
Weekend
Figure 1: PA differences within ethnic groups
80
Physical activity (mean rank cpm)
Background
People from ethnic backgrounds have increased risk of metabolic disease
(1), which is evident in childhood (2). The causes are likely to be
multifactorial including genetic and lifestyle influences. Lower physical
activity has been associated with increased metabolic risk in children 9
years old (3). A systematic review of physical activity and ethnicity
evidenced lower self reported levels of activity amongst all 12 studies
found, including both adults and children (4). Objective information on
childhood physical activity is scarce and no studies have assessed within
day differences between ethnic groups. Biological and biomechanical
issues limit the validity of single objective measures, which can be
minimised in combined measures which yield less systematic error (5).
*
**
70
** <0.01
* <0.05
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Weekday
Weekend
White EU
Afterschool
School Day
All Ethnic Groups
Figure 2: PA differences between ethnic groups
Results
Examining the group as whole
PA is greater on weekdays than weekends (109 vs. 99cpm, = 3.92,
p=0.000) and during school than after-school (117 vs. 99cpm, = -3.22,
p=0.001) (see figure 1).
Subgroup analysis
South Asian children had no differences between weekday and weekend
PA (103 vs. 92cpm, = 1.654, p=0.098) but were more active at school
than after-school (122 vs. 91, =3.174, p=0.002) (see figure 1).
White EU children were more active on weekdays than weekends (116
vs. 90cpm, = -2.24, p=.025) but did similar activity after-school and
during school (118 vs. 112cpm, =4.65 p=0.642) (see figure 1).
White EU vs. all ethnic backgrounds
White EU were more active on weekdays (u=1376, = -2.45, p=0.014;
mean rank = 70 vs. 54, white EU vs. all other ethnic groups,
respectively) and after-school (u=1237, =-3.16, p=0.002, mean rank =
72 vs. 52) compared to all other ethnic groups (see figure 2).
Conclusion
Ethnic groups exercise differently but all children engage in highest activity
at school. The contribution of PA on metabolic well-being needs further
investigation in vulnerable groups of children .
References
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factors in Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and European origin: Cross sectional
study. Br Med J 1999; 319: 215-220
2. Whincup p, Gilg J, Papacosta O, et al. Early Evidence of Ethnic Differences in
Cardiovascular risk: Cross sectional study comparison of British South Asian and
White Children. Br Med J 2002; 324: 1-6
3. Bo Andersen L, Harro M, Sardinha LB, et al. Physical Activity and Clustered
cardiovascular risk in children: a cross sectional study (The European Youth Heart
Study). Lancet 2006; 368: 299-304
4. Fishbacher CM, Hunt S, Alexander L . How physically active are South Asians in
the United Kingdom? A literature Review. J of Public Health 2004; 26(3): 250-258.
5. Corder K, Brage S, Wareham NJ, et al. Comparison of PAEE from combined and
separate heart rate and movement models in children. Medicine and science in
sports and exercise 2005; 37: 1761-1767.