Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
Background: This study was designed to assess physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary behaviour amongst primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional study was adopted to assess the patterns and levels of PA and sedentary behaviour using the Ph...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2022-03-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5381 |
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| author | Howard Gomwe Eunice Seekoe Philemon Lyoka Chioneso S. Marange Dennyford Mafa |
| author_facet | Howard Gomwe Eunice Seekoe Philemon Lyoka Chioneso S. Marange Dennyford Mafa |
| author_sort | Howard Gomwe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: This study was designed to assess physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary behaviour amongst primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was adopted to assess the patterns and levels of PA and sedentary behaviour using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). The sample consisted of primary school learners, both boys and girls, aged 9–14 years. The learners were randomly selected from rural, urban and peri-urban areas in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
Results: Using a complete case analysis, 870 randomly selected participants (boys = 351 and girls = 519) aged 9–14 years were retained. Overall, the sample had a low mean PAQ-C score of 2.33 ± 0.43. The mean of PA in boys was significantly higher (p = 0.003) in comparison with the girls. The 13- to 14-age group had significantly higher PA levels (p = 0.014). Learners from urban areas (n = 136; 77.3%) engaged more in sedentary behaviour compared to those from rural areas (n = 252; 54.9%).
Conclusion: The findings demonstrated low levels of PA and high engagement of sedentary behaviour across the combined gender groups, which have negative implications on health, growth and development of children. The study, therefore, recommends relevant stakeholders to implement interventions aimed at promoting an increase in PA and a reduction in sedentary behaviours for primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2912b8ff8e6f4b059aaff7203c4cb4f6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-2912b8ff8e6f4b059aaff7203c4cb4f62025-08-20T03:47:09ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042022-03-01641e1e810.4102/safp.v64i1.53814215Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South AfricaHoward Gomwe0Eunice Seekoe1Philemon Lyoka2Chioneso S. Marange3Dennyford Mafa4Department of Teaching, Learning and Community Engagement, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, MedunsaDepartment of Teaching, Learning and Community Engagement, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, MedunsaDepartment of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Science, University of Fort Hare, East LondonDepartment of Statistics, Faculty of Science, University of Fort Hare, East LondonDepartment of Social Science, Faculty of Humanities, University of Fort Hare, AliceBackground: This study was designed to assess physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary behaviour amongst primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional study was adopted to assess the patterns and levels of PA and sedentary behaviour using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). The sample consisted of primary school learners, both boys and girls, aged 9–14 years. The learners were randomly selected from rural, urban and peri-urban areas in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Results: Using a complete case analysis, 870 randomly selected participants (boys = 351 and girls = 519) aged 9–14 years were retained. Overall, the sample had a low mean PAQ-C score of 2.33 ± 0.43. The mean of PA in boys was significantly higher (p = 0.003) in comparison with the girls. The 13- to 14-age group had significantly higher PA levels (p = 0.014). Learners from urban areas (n = 136; 77.3%) engaged more in sedentary behaviour compared to those from rural areas (n = 252; 54.9%). Conclusion: The findings demonstrated low levels of PA and high engagement of sedentary behaviour across the combined gender groups, which have negative implications on health, growth and development of children. The study, therefore, recommends relevant stakeholders to implement interventions aimed at promoting an increase in PA and a reduction in sedentary behaviours for primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5381childrenlearnersphysical activitysedentary behavioursouth africa |
| spellingShingle | Howard Gomwe Eunice Seekoe Philemon Lyoka Chioneso S. Marange Dennyford Mafa Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa South African Family Practice children learners physical activity sedentary behaviour south africa |
| title | Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa |
| title_full | Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa |
| title_short | Physical activity and sedentary behaviour of primary school learners in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa |
| title_sort | physical activity and sedentary behaviour of primary school learners in the eastern cape province of south africa |
| topic | children learners physical activity sedentary behaviour south africa |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5381 |
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