Playing Alone: Recess Physical Activity and Social Interactions of Children with and Without Obesity and Severe Obesity.

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Titel: Playing Alone: Recess Physical Activity and Social Interactions of Children with and Without Obesity and Severe Obesity.
Autoren: Barenie MJ; Center for the Study of Obesity, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.; Department of Health, Kinesiology, and Sport, College of Education and Professional Studies, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USA., Howie EK; Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA., Murphy CM; Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA., Thakur D; Center for the Study of Obesity, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA., Jenkins C; Center for the Study of Obesity, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA., Lopez-Neyman SM; Center for the Study of Obesity, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA., Kaufman AR; Center for the Study of Obesity, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA., Thomsen MR; Center for the Study of Obesity, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA., Weber KA; Center for the Study of Obesity, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.; Department of Epidemiology, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
Quelle: Childhood obesity (Print) [Child Obes] 2025 Oct; Vol. 21 (7), pp. 600-607. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Jun 12.
Publikationsart: Journal Article
Sprache: English
Info zur Zeitschrift: Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101542497 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2153-2176 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 21532168 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Child Obes Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: New Rochelle, NY : Mary Ann Liebert
MeSH-Schlagworte: Exercise*/psychology , Pediatric Obesity*/psychology , Pediatric Obesity*/epidemiology , Play and Playthings*/psychology , Obesity, Morbid*/psychology , Obesity, Morbid*/epidemiology , Social Interaction*, Humans ; Female ; Male ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Schools ; Body Mass Index
Abstract: Background: This study aimed to compare recess physical activity, social behaviors, and social/school perceptions among children with obesity and severe obesity and those without obesity. Methods: Recess observations were done using the System of Observing Children's Activity and Relationships during Play. School climate surveys and anthropometric measurements were also completed. A total of 414 observations from 160 (52% female) children were collected at four schools in Little Rock, AR, during three semesters from 2023 to 2024. Children were in kindergarten through 5th grade. Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate adjusted associations. Results: Thirteen percent of observations reflected children with severe obesity, 21% were from children with obesity, and 66% were from children with a BMI below the 95th percentile on the age- and gender-specific reference growth charts. Overall, children were engaged in moderate-vigorous physical activity 64% of the time and played alone 22% of the time. Positive play was observed 50% of the time. Children with severe obesity played alone 8% ( p < 0.05) more than the reference group without obesity. There was no evidence of an inverse association between obesity and physical activity. Surveys from upper elementary children showed no differences in self-reports of being happy, having friends, or enjoying recess by weight status. Conclusions: While we observed more alone play at recess among children with severe obesity, we did not observe less physical activity or more negative play experiences among children with obesity or severe obesity. Recess appears to be beneficial regardless of weight status, both socially and for physical activity.
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: SOCARP; childhood severe obesity; physical activity; recess; social interaction
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250612 Date Completed: 20251010 Latest Revision: 20251206
Update Code: 20251206
PubMed Central ID: PMC12677286
DOI: 10.1089/chi.2024.0426
PMID: 40501345
Datenbank: MEDLINE
Beschreibung
Abstract:Background: This study aimed to compare recess physical activity, social behaviors, and social/school perceptions among children with obesity and severe obesity and those without obesity. Methods: Recess observations were done using the System of Observing Children's Activity and Relationships during Play. School climate surveys and anthropometric measurements were also completed. A total of 414 observations from 160 (52% female) children were collected at four schools in Little Rock, AR, during three semesters from 2023 to 2024. Children were in kindergarten through 5th grade. Linear mixed-effects models were used to estimate adjusted associations. Results: Thirteen percent of observations reflected children with severe obesity, 21% were from children with obesity, and 66% were from children with a BMI below the 95th percentile on the age- and gender-specific reference growth charts. Overall, children were engaged in moderate-vigorous physical activity 64% of the time and played alone 22% of the time. Positive play was observed 50% of the time. Children with severe obesity played alone 8% ( p &lt; 0.05) more than the reference group without obesity. There was no evidence of an inverse association between obesity and physical activity. Surveys from upper elementary children showed no differences in self-reports of being happy, having friends, or enjoying recess by weight status. Conclusions: While we observed more alone play at recess among children with severe obesity, we did not observe less physical activity or more negative play experiences among children with obesity or severe obesity. Recess appears to be beneficial regardless of weight status, both socially and for physical activity.
ISSN:2153-2176
DOI:10.1089/chi.2024.0426