The relationship between body composition and health and lifestyle factors in school-age children.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide and is now considered an epidemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body composition and health and lifestyle factors in school-age children. The first part of the study consisted of secondary analysis of data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey: young people aged 4 to 18 years to investigate the relationship between overweight, high waist circumference, high mid-upper arm circumference and blood pressure and blood lipids. The relationship of these anthropometric measures to demographic factors and diet and physical activity was also investigated. The second part of the study consisted of collection and analysis of data from 129 children aged 8-10 and 75 children aged 14-16 years, from the Aberdeen area to investigate the relationship between BMI, waist circumference and percentage body fat and psychosocial functioning (self-esteem, locus of control, depression and bullying), blood pressure and lung function. The relationship of these anthropometric measures to diet and physical activity was also investigated. High body fat was associated with increased blood pressure and an unfavourable lipid profile, but was not found to have a detrimental effect on lung function. High body fat was associated with poorer psychosocial functioning in young girls (8-10 years) but not in boys. Body fat was negatively associated with time spent in exercise and percentage energy from total sugars and non-milk extrinsic sugars and positively associated with time spent in inactive pursuits, average daily total energy intake, dieting to lose weight, percentage energy from total fats and a ‘healthier’ diet. Demographic factors found to be related to body fat were region, number of parents and siblings in household, whether parents receive income support and social class of parents. Sex and age variations in these relationships were found.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Robert Gordon University

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Craig, Leone C.A.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• J. Love, G. McNeil and B. Ratcliffe

• Body composition
• Health
• Lifestyle
• Body fat
• Psychosocial functioning
• Blood pressure
• Lung function
• Children

Language dc:language

en

Identifier

oai:rgu-repository.worktribe.com:2807337
https://doi.org/10.48526/rgu-wt-2807337

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rgu-repository.worktribe.com:2807337