Associations of out of school physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and socioeconomic status with weight status and adiposity of Cameroon children

BACKGROUND: Low physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle are contributing to overweight/obesity in children. This study aims to explore relationships between out of school physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and socioeconomic status indicators with children’s weight status and adiposity. METHODS: Five hundred twenty-two children of ages 5 to 12 years were randomly selected in a school-based cross sectional study in Bamenda, Cameroon. Weight and height were measured and BMI calculated. These variables were standardized for age and gender. Socioeconomic variables and proxy measures of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle of children were reported by parents using a structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios. Quantile regression was used to compare median values of triceps skinfold thickness across the different factors. RESULTS: In bivariate analysis, physical activity > 4 – 7 times/week was significantly (p = 0.010) associated with a lower prevalence (5.9%) of overweight/obesity. In multivariable analysis, physical activity > twice a week (OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.05 – 0.3), sedentary lifestyle > 3 h/day (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2 – 4.3) and being in the high occupation class (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.2 – 8.1) independently predicted overweight/obesity. With quantile regression, physical activity > 4 – 7 times/week was significantly (p = 0.023) associated with a 1.36 mm decrease in median triceps skinfold thickness, while sedentary lifestyle (> 3 h/day) (p = 0.026) and being in the high occupation class (p = 0.007) were significantly associated with a 1.37 mm and 1.86 mm increase in median triceps skinfold thickness respectively. CONCLUSION: Physical activity is inversely related to BMI-defined overweight/obesity and triceps skinfold thickness. Also, a high sedentary lifestyle and a high occupation class were associated with overweight/obesity and had the largest significant relationship with triceps skinfold thickness. There is need to objectively assess physical activity and sedentary lifestyle in our setting, in and out of school. Also longitudinal studies are warranted to understand the influence of cultural and behavioral drivers of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle.