MEALS OF DIFFERING CALORIC CONTENT DO NOT ALTER PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIOR DURING A SUBSEQUENT SIMULATED RECESS PERIOD IN CHILDREN

WAGNER, KELLY J., M.S., May 2013 MEALS OF DIFFERING CALORIC CONTENT DO NOT ALTER PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIOR DURING A SUBSEQUENT SIMULATED RECESS PERIOD IN CHILDRENDirector of Thesis: Jacob E. Barkley, Ph.D. Background: Research on adults and animals has demonstrated that chronic and acute overfeeding can alter physical activity behavior. However, there are no assessments of the acute effects of high-fat/high-calorie meals on physical activity behavior in school-aged children. This is of importance as a typical school lunch is both high-calorie and high-fat. If this type of meal negatively impacts subsequent physical activity behavior, the ability of post-lunch recess periods and/or physical education classes to increase physical activity may be lessened. Purpose: To assess the effect of two meals of differing caloric content, high calorie (HC) and low calorie (LC), on children’s subsequent physical activity behavior during a simulated recess period.Methods: Nineteen healthy children (aged 6-10) completed two laboratory sessions where they were fed lunch with differing caloric intake levels: high calorie (HC) and low calorie (LC). Children had fifteen minutes to consume as much of the meal as possible per session. Children consumed 659.5 ± 101.3 kcal in the HC condition and 291.8 ± 12.1 kcal in the LC condition. After the meal, children went to a 4,300 square foot gymnasium for 40 minutes. In the gymnasium children had free-choice access to obstacle courses and various sports equipment. There was also a table with sedentary activities. Children could play with any of the activities in any amount they wished for the entire activity session. Children’s physical activity was monitored with accelerometers and that data was converted into caloric expenditure. Each child ate all meals and participated in the free-choice activity sessions with no other children present. Results: Caloric expenditure during the free-choice activity sessions was not significantly different (p = 0.4) between the HC (89.2 ± 27.3 kcals) and LC (83.4 ± 34.9 kcals) conditions. However, caloric balance (kcals eaten – kcals expended) was 2.74 fold greater (p < 0.001) in the HC condition (¿ 570.3 ± 92.2 kcals) than the LC condition (¿ 208.4 ± 32.0 kcals).Conclusion: Children did not alter their physical activity behavior during a free-choice activity session after consuming a HC meal versus a LC meal. Because activity was not increased after the HC meal, children had a much greater caloric surplus during the HC condition than the LC condition.

Name thesis:degree_name

MS

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Health Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

Kent State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Wagner, Kelly

Contributors dc:contributor

• Barkley, Jacob

• Health Education

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1365799741

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:kent1365799741