Effects of Body Mass Index (BMI), demographic and socioeconomic factors on organized physical activity (OPA) participation in children aged 6-15 years: a cross-sectional study comparing primary and secondary school children in Greece

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of body mass index category, as well as of demographic and socioeconomic factors on the participation in organized physical activity (OPA) of schoolchildren attending primary and secondary school in Greece. Furthermore, to compare the difference between the two levels. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on a representative elementary and secondary school cohort, derived using stratification and probability proportional to size (PPS) methodology. The final sample included 18,264 subjects, aged 6 to 15 years. Parents of all students and students of secondary schools fulfilled validated questionnaires evaluating socioeconomic status, and participation to OPA. International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut offs were used to classify the children. Univariate and multivariate logistic models examined factors associated with OPA. All analyses were stratified by school level. RESULTS: Sport participation was not reported in 37.7 and 54.4% of primary and secondary schoolchildren respectively. Having BMI within normal range, being male, having parents participating in an organized activity and a high socio-economic status seem to encourage participation in OPA in both school levels. CONCLUSIONS: Children with normal BMI are more likely to participate in OPA. Parents as role model as well as higher socioeconomic status of the family emerge as important influencers. Participation in OPA declines as students enter secondary school. Interventions focusing on increasing physical education and activity into school daily program should be tailored to the specific needs of different weight categories and can possibly eliminate the impact of SES inequalities.