Author(s): Angelo Belcastro, Donna Mohseni Mofidi, Yasamin Ahmadi and Asal Moghaddaszadeh
Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to examine changes in quality of life indicators from normal weight (NW) and overweight (OW) children to a play-based fun physical activity (PA) intervention. Methods: Children (n=33) were assessed prior to and following an eight-week (4 d/wk; 55 min/d) active play program. Children were assessed by the PedsQL survey for psychosocial function and perception of physical function, PA enjoyment and PA participation. Results: These were related to changes in body composition, cardiovascular measures and physical activity participation. OW children showed a reduction in waist circumference (1 mm) and sum of skinfold (12 mm) (p<0.05), in contrast to NW group (p>0.05). NW and OW groups experienced similar reductions in blood pressure (p<0.05). The changes in body composition (body mass waist circumference and sum of skinfolds) were related (r from -0.36 to -0.51) with psychosocial function for NW and OW children (p<0.05). In contrast the cardiovascular measures were related to changes in the OW group for blood pressures and heart rate. Conclusions: In summary NW children had a less pronounced response for cardiovascular measures to playbased PA when compared to the OW group. Nonetheless both groups benefitted in terms of improvements in body fat (waist circumference; sum of Skinfolds). Therefore active play PA programs, in contrast to training programs, are effective in mediating obesity and beneficial to physical health regardless of a child’s weight or risk status
