Centre for Exercise Medicine, Physical Activity and Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University Jordanstown Campus, Shore Road, BT37 0QB Newtownabbey, Ireland.
Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Sep 19;17(18):6849. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17186849.
Internationally, insufficient physical activity (PA) is a major health concern. Children in Northern Ireland (NI) are recorded as having the lowest levels of PA in the United Kingdom (UK). To date, validated and representative data on the PA levels of NI school children are limited. The aim of this study was to provide surveillance data on self-reported PA, sport and physical education (PE) participation of school children in NI. Differences between genders and factors associated with PA were also examined. A representative sample of primary ( = 446) and post-primary ( = 1508) children was surveyed in school using validated self-report measures. Findings suggest that PA levels are low, with a minority of children (13%) meeting the PA guidelines (primary pupils 20%, post-primary pupils 11%). NI school children have lower levels of PA, PE and sports participation than UK and European peers. A trend of age-related decline across all the domains of PA was apparent. The data presented highlighted that females are less likely to achieve PA guidelines, children from lower socio-economic background participate in school and community sport less often, and that enjoyment and social support are important variables in PA adherence. Policy solutions that would support implementation e.g., mandatory minimum PE time, whole school approaches to PA promotion and targeted investment in schools, particularly in areas of deprivation and for females, are suggested.
在国际上，身体活动不足是一个主要的健康问题。北爱尔兰（NI）的儿童被记录为在联合王国（UK）中身体活动水平最低。迄今为止，关于 NI 学童身体活动水平的验证和代表性数据有限。本研究旨在提供有关 NI 学童自我报告的身体活动、运动和体育教育（PE）参与情况的监测数据。还检查了性别差异和与身体活动相关的因素。使用经过验证的自我报告措施，在学校对小学生（=446）和中学生（=1508）进行了代表性抽样调查。研究结果表明，身体活动水平较低，只有少数儿童（13%）符合身体活动指南（小学生 20%，中学生 11%）。NI 学童的身体活动、PE 和运动参与水平低于英国和欧洲同龄人。在所有身体活动领域，都明显呈现出与年龄相关的下降趋势。所呈现的数据表明，女性更不可能达到身体活动指南，来自社会经济背景较低的儿童较少参加学校和社区体育活动，享受和社会支持是身体活动坚持的重要变量。建议采取政策措施来支持实施，例如强制性最低 PE 时间、全校推广身体活动以及有针对性地投资学校，特别是在贫困地区和针对女性。
