Original ResearchThe level and pattern of physical activity among fifth-grade students in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Introduction
Physical activity (PA) is an important factor influencing health. In children, PA is associated with multiple health-related benefits, including cardio-metabolic, skeletal, muscular, and mental health.1, 2, 3 Despite the benefits, significant proportions of children/youth do not meet the physical activity guideline (PAG) of engaging in daily moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) for ≥60 min/day.2 The percentage of children meeting the PAG is 42% (6–11 years) in the USA,4 19% (5–17 years) in Australia,5 and 23% (11 years) in European countries.6
PA levels are also low among youth from low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). Data from the 34 LMICs indicated that on average, <25% of youth (13–15 years) met the PAG.7 Other studies showed that the percentages were 23.3% (aged 6–17 years) for Thailand8 and 66% (aged 13–17 years) for Dhaka city, Bangladesh.9 Although national data on children's PA are unavailable in Vietnam, the percentage of students (11–16 years) self-reporting to have ≥3 bouts of vigorous activity for ≥20 min/week or ≥5 bouts of moderate activities for ≥30 min/week in urban areas of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in 2004 was 75.7%.10 However, most studies were among secondary-school–aged youth (i.e. >11 years) and relied on PA self-report, with the exception of the USA data that used accelerometers. Therefore, there is a lack of population-based studies among primary-school–aged children measuring PA objectively.
Although it is important to have estimates of daily PA levels, there is also a need for information regarding children's PA behaviors during specific segments of the day/week which are not usually collected by public health surveillance systems.11 This information, if available, is critical, particularly for LMICs, in assisting policymakers to identify, plan, and allocate resources to areas with top priority. The information can also be used by schools to inform their revision or for the establishment of policies. This study, therefore, was conducted to investigate the level and pattern of PA among fifth-grade students in HCMC, Vietnam.
Section snippets
Study design and population
A cross-sectional survey using a two-stage stratified cluster sampling was conducted between January and September 2016. Public schools with more than two fifth-grade classes in urban areas of HCMC were eligible to participate. These schools were stratified into ‘nationally recognized schools’ and ‘not nationally recognized schools’ and then into ‘high socio-economic status (SES)’ and ‘low SES.’ National recognition is awarded to schools meeting criteria set by the Ministry of Education and
Results
Among 1235 students invited to participate, 757 consents were obtained generating a response rate of 61.3%. However, only 619 students (81.8%) with ≥3 weekdays and one weekend day of pedometer data were included in the analysis. Average students' age was 10.4 years ranging from 9.7 to 12.6 years. Although boys (52.8% of the sample) were not different from girls in age and height, they had higher weights and BMIs. More than half were classified as OW/OB. The prevalence of obesity was greater in
Discussion
The results showed that most fifth-grade students (82%) in urban schools in HCMC were not sufficiently active. Although it is difficult to compare the PA level among studies given discrepancies in methodologies and students' ages, students in HCMC have lower daily steps than those in studies conducted in the USA, Australia, and New Zealand.24, 25, 26, 27 The percentage of students meeting the PAG was also smaller than that in Australia (40%),28 the USA (42%),4 and Bangladesh (Dhaka city).9 The
Ethical approval
Written consent forms were obtained from the parents. Written approvals from the schools and the HCMC Department of Education and Training were also obtained. Ethical approval from Queensland University of Technology Human Research Ethics Committee was also obtained (1500000549).
Funding
None declared.
Competing interests
None declared.
References (47)
- et al.
Household food insecurity is associated with less physical activity among children and adults in the U.S. population
J Nutr
(2014) - et al.
Patterns and correlates of physical activity in adolescents in Dhaka city, Bangladesh
Publ Health
(2017) - et al.
Active commuting to school among adolescents in ho chi minh city, vietnam change and predictors in a longitudinal study, 2004 to 2009
Am J Prev Med
(2012) - et al.
Pedometer steps in primary school-aged children: a comparison of school-based and out-of-school activity
J Sci Med Sport
(2006) - et al.
Evaluating a model of parental influence on youth physical activity
Am J Prev Med
(2003) - et al.
Correlates of physical activity: why are some people physically active and others not?
Lancet
(2012) - et al.
A systematic review to update the Australian physical activity guidelines for children and young people
(2012) Physical activity guidelines advisory committee report, 2008
(2008)- et al.
Physical activity in the United States measured by accelerometer
Med Sci Sports Exerc
(2008) - Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian health survey: physical activity, 2011–12....