PHYSICAL FITNESS AND PHYSICAL SELF-PERCEPTION OF CHILDREN IN RELATION TO BMI: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN SOUTHERN ITALY

Authors

  • Domenico MONACIS Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy. Email: domenico.monacis@unisalento.it. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6000-7579
  • Giacomo PASCALI Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy. Email: giacomo.pascali@unisalento.it. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1617-403X
  • Sabrina ANNOSCIA Department of Literature, Languages and Cultural Heritage, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. Email: sabrina_annoscia.597058@unifg.it. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7178-3644
  • Dario COLELLA Department of Literature, Languages and Cultural Heritage, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. Email: dario.colella@unifg.it. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8676-4540

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24193/subbeag.68(4).31

Keywords:

health promotion; motor development; physical education; children; self-perception

Abstract

Introduction. Despite international literature has well recognized the rule of physical education in primary school for the promotion of children’s educational process and the mediating effects on cognitive, emotional and social development, in many European countries sedentary lifestyles in children have increased involving all age groups and social classes. Moreover, in Italy the prevalence of children’s overweight and obesity is linked to increased physical inactivity and reduced opportunities for physical activity expenditure. The present study aims to assess physical fitness and self-perception in children involved in SBAM Project in Apulia (Southern Italy), according to gender and BMI. The assessment involved four physical fitness tests (SLJ, MBT, 10x4 and 6mWT) and a self-report to assess physical self-perception. A 3x2 ANOVA was carried out to assess the main and interaction effect of gender and BMI on considered variables. Results showed (a) better motor performances and self-perception in normal weight children compared to overweight and obese peers, (b) male were stronger and faster than female, and (c) physical self-perception didn’t change between obese male and female. Methodological interventions aimed at increasing time spent in motor activity and develop physical fitness are needed in primary school to promote health-oriented physical education.

Received 2023 November 09; Revised 2024 January 04; Accepted 2024 January 05;
Available online 2024 March 15; Available print 2024 March 15

References

Ainsworth, B.E. & Macera, C.A. (2018). Promoting physical activity in a public health context, Journal of Sport and Health Science, 7, 1-2.

Babic, M. J., Morgan, P. J., Plotnikoff, R. C., Lonsdale, C., White, R. L., & Lubans, D. R. (2014). Physical activity and physical self-concept in youth: systematic review and meta-analysis, Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 44(11), 1589–1601. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0229-z.

Bailey R. (2006). Physical education and sport in schools: A review of benefits and outcomes, Journal of School Health, 76, 2006, 8, 397-401.

Bailey, R., Ries, F., Heck, S., Scheuer, C. (2023). Active Learning: A Review of European Studies of Active Lessons. Sustainability 2023, 15, 3413. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043413 .

Bardid, F., De Meester, A., Tallir, I., Cardon, G., Lenoir, M., & Haerens, L. (2016). Configurations of actual and perceived motor competence among children: Associations with motivation for sports and global self-worth. Human Movement Science, 50, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2016.09.001.

Barnett, L.M., Lubans, D.R., Timperio, A., Salmon, J., & Ridgers, ND. (2018). What is the Contribution of Actual Motor Skill, Fitness, and Physical Activity to Children’s Self-Perception of Motor Competence? Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 6(s2), S461–S473. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2016-0076.

Brambilla, P., Pozzobon, G., & Pietrobelli, A. (2011). Physical activity as the main therapeutic tool for metabolic syndrome in childhood. International Journal of Obesity (Lond), 35,1, 16-28.

Cairney, J., Dudley, D., Kwan, M., Bulten, R., & Kriellaars, D. (2019). Physical Literacy, Physical Activity and Health: Toward an Evidence-Informed Conceptual Model. Sports Medicine, 49(3), 371–383. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01063-3.

Carson, R.L. & Webster, C.A. (Eds.) (2020). Comprehensive school physical activity programs. Putting Research into Evidence-Based Practice. SHAPE AMERICA, IL: Human Kinetics.

Carvalho Dumith, S., Ramires, V.V., Alves Souza, M., Souza Moraes, D., Godoy Petry, F., Soldera Oliveira, E., Viana Ramires, S., & Hallal, P.C. (2010). Overweight/ Obesity and Physical Fitness Among Children and Adolescents. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 7, 641-648. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.7.5.641.

Cattuzzo, M.T., dos Santos Henrique, R., Ré, A.H.N., de Sousa Moura, M., Cappato de Araùjo, R., Stodden, D. (2016). Motor competence and health related physical fitness in youth: A systematic review. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 19, 123-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.12.004.

Cole, T. J., Bellizzi, M. C., Flegal, K. M., & Dietz, W. H. (2000). Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: international survey. British Medicine Journal, 320(7244), 1240-1243. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.320.7244.1240.

Colella, D., Morano, M., Bortoli, L., & Robazza, C. A. (2008). Physical Self Efficacy Scale for Children. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 36, 841-848. https://doi.org/10.2224/sbp.2008.36.6.841.

Cooper Institute (Meredith M. D., & Welk G. J.) (Eds.) (2004). Fitnessgram/Activitygram: Test Administration Manual (3rd. ed). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetic.

Council of Europe, Committee for the Development of Sport. (1988). Handbook for the EUROFIT tests of physical fitness. Rome (1993): Edigraf editoriale grafica.

D’Hondt, E., Deforche, B., De Bourdeaudhuij, I., & Lenoir, M. (2009). Relationship between motor skill and body mass index in 5- to 10-year-old children. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 26(1), 21–37. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.26.1.21.

Dapp, L. C., & Roebers, C. M. (2019). The Mediating Role of Self-Concept between Sports-Related Physical Activity and Mathematical Achievement in Fourth Graders. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16152658.

Deforche, B., Lefevre, J., De Bourdeaudhuij, I., Hills, AP., Duquet, W., & Bouckaert, J. (2003). Physical fitness and physical activity in obese and nonobese Flemish youth. Obesity Research, 11(3), 434-441. https:// - doi.org/10.1038/oby.2003.59.

Edwards, L. C., Bryant, A. S., Keegan, R. J., Morgan, K., & Jones, A. M. (2017). Definitions, Foundations and Associations of Physical Literacy: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 47(1), 113–126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0560-7.

Estevan, I., & Barnett, L. M. (2018). Considerations Related to the Definition, Measurement and Analysis of Perceived Motor Competence. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 48(12), 2685–2694. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0940-2.

Eveland-Sayers, B.M., Farley, R.S., Fuller, D.K., Morgan, D.W, & Caputo, J.L. (2009). Physical fitness and academic achievement in elementary school children. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 6, 99-104.

Faigenbaum, A. D., Rebullido, T. R., McDonald, J. P. (2018). Pediatric inactivity triad: a risky PIT. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 17, 2, 45-47.

Feltz D.L. & Magyar M. (2007). L’autoefficacia degli adolescenti nello sport e nell’attività fisica, in Pajares F., Urdan T. (Ed.), L’autoefficacia degli adolescenti, tr.it., Erickson, Trento 2007, 185-206.

Fu, Y., Burns, R. D., Gomes, E., Savignac, A., & Constantino, N. (2019). Trends in Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity, and Motivation during a Classroom-Based Active Video Game Program. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(16), 2821. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16162821.

Garrido-Miguel, M., Cavero-Redondo, I., Alvarez-Bueno, C., Rodriguez-Artalejo, F., Moreno, L. A., Ruiz, J. R., … Martinez-Vizcaino, V. (2019). Prevalence and Trends of Overweight and Obesity in European Children From 1999 to 2016: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 173(10), e192430. https://doi/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2019.2430 .

IBM Corp. Released 2019. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp

Janssen, I., & LeBlanc A.G. (2010). Systematic review of the health benefits of physical activity and fitness in school-aged children and youth. International Journal of Behavior Nutrition and Physical Activity, May 11;7:40. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-7-40

Joshi, P., Bryan, C., & Howath, H. (2012). Relationship of body mass index and fitness levels among school children. Journal Strength Conditional Research, 26, 1006-14. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31822dd3ac.

Kantzas, A.A., and Venetsanou F. (2020). Self-perception of children participating in different organized physical activity programs. European Psychomotricity Journal, 12, 1, 3-12.

Khodaverdi, Z., Bahram, A., Stodden, D., & Kazemnejad, A. (2015). The relationship between actual motor competence and physical activity in children: mediating roles of perceived motor competence and health-related physical fitness. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(16), 1523–1529. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1122202 .

Liu, M., Wu, L., & Ming, Q. (2015). How Does Physical Activity Intervention Improve Self-Esteem and Self-Concept in Children and Adolescents? Evidence from a Meta-Analysis. PloS One, 10(8), e0134804. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0134804 .

Mosston, M., & Ashworth, S. (2008). Teaching physical education. First online edition. Spectrum Institute for Teaching and Learning (United States)[E-Book] Retrieved from http://www.spectrumofteachingstyles.org/e-book.

Nardone, P., Spinelli, A., Ciardullo, S., Salvatore, M. A., Andreozzi, S., Galeone, D. (2022). Obesità e stili di vita dei bambini: OKkio alla SALUTE 2019. Roma: Istituto Superiore di Sanità.

Ortega F.B., Ruiz J.R., Castillo, M.J., Sjöström, M. (2008). Physical fitness in childhood and adolescence: a powerful marker of health, International Journal of obesity, 32, 1-11.

Peña J, Señé-Mir AM, Chulvi-Medrano I, Rial T and Faigenbaum AD (2022) Pump It Up!—Strong Muscles Can Make You Healthier. Frontiers Young Minds, April,1-7. https://doi.otg/10:67276610.3389/frym.2022.672766

Rauner, A., Mess, F., & Woll, A. (2013). The relationship between physical activity, physical fitness and overweight in adolescents: a systematic review of studies published in or after 2000. BMC Pediatrics, 13(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-13-19.

Robinson, L. E., Stodden, D. F., Barnett, L. M., Lopes, V. P., Logan, S. W., Rodrigues, L. P., & D’Hondt, E. (2015). Motor Competence and its Effect on Positive Developmental Trajectories of Health. Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 45(9), 1273–1284. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0351-6 .

Ruiz, J.R., Castro-Piñero, J., España-Romero, V., Artero, E.G., Ortega, F.B., Cuenca, M.M., Jimenez-Pavón, D., Chillón, P., Girela-Rejón, M.J., Mora, J., Gutiérrez, A., Suni, J., Sjöström, M., & Castillo, M.J. (2011). Field based fitness assessment in young people: the ALPHA health-related fitness test battery for children and adolescents. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 45(6), 518-24. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2010.0753.

Stodden D.F., Goodway J.D., Langendorfer S.J., Roberton M.A., Rudisill M.E., Garcia C., Garcia L.E. (2008). A Developmental perspective on the role of motor skill competence in physical activity: an emergent relationship, Quest, 60, 2008, 290-206.

Strong, W.B., Malina, R.M., Blimkie, C.J.R, Daniels, S.R., Dishman R.K., Gutin, B., et al. (2005). Evidence based physical activity for school-age youth. The Journal of Pediatrics, 146, 732–737.

Utesch, T., Dreiskamper, D., Naul, R., & Geukes, K. (2018). Understanding physical (in-) activity, overweight, and obesity in childhood: Effects of congruence between physical selfWorld Health Organization. 2020. WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour. Geneva: World Health Organization.

Yuksel, H.S., Şahin, F.N., Maksimovic, N., Drid, P., & Bianco, A., (2020). School-Based Intervention Program for Preventing Obesity and Promoting Physical Activity and Fitness: A systematic review. International Journal Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), 347. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010347.

Downloads

Published

2024-03-15

How to Cite

MONACIS, D. ., PASCALI, G. ., ANNOSCIA, S. ., & COLELLA, D. . (2024). PHYSICAL FITNESS AND PHYSICAL SELF-PERCEPTION OF CHILDREN IN RELATION TO BMI: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN SOUTHERN ITALY. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai Educatio Artis Gymnasticae, 68(4), 47–60. https://doi.org/10.24193/subbeag.68(4).31

Issue

Section

Articles