Physical Activity and Nutritional Status of Schoolchildren in Montenegro

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the association between nutritional status and physical activity in urban and rural school children in Montenegro, by presenting part of the results of the national survey on childhood obesity in Montenegro (2013-2015). The sample included 4725 Montenegrin children: 2381 (50.4%) boys and 2344 (49.6%) girls. The self-administered part of the questionnaire for parents included four questions on children’s physical activity. Anthropometric measurements were taken in schools. Nutritional status was assessed according to the criteria of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the present study, boys reported more physical activity than girls did (sports, outdoor play, etc.). The reported share of engagement in various team sports (football, basketball) was also higher among the boys than the girls. Rural children reported being more physically active than children in urban areas, and their scheduled physical education classes attendance was higher compared with their urban peers. There were no differences between children in rural and urban areas with respect to participation in individual/team sports. Obese children reported a significantly lower level of physical activity compared with normal-weight children. The obtained results suggest that the promotion of physical activity should be emphasized in an interdisciplinary as a way of prevention of childhood obesity as one of the significant public health challenges in the 21st century.