Relations between pecularities of first-graders‘ physical activity and nutritiom and health status of their parents in kaunas city

The goal of the thesis: to identify the relations between pecularities of first-graders‘ nutrition and physical activity and health status of their parents in Kaunas city. Objectives:To evaluate the first-graders’ physical activity; To analyse the peculiarities of first-graders’ nutrition; To evaluate the health status of parents of first-graders; To find relations between pecularities of first-graders‘ nutrition and physical activity and health status of their parents. Methods: This master thesis is based on Lithuanian children's growth monitoring study, which was carried out in accordance with the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative - COSI protocol. Master thesis analyses habits of nutrition, physical activity and subjetive evaluation of parents‘ health. Target group of the research is first grade students and their parents in Kaunas city. Generally, the research study consists of 6-8 year old children and their parents. A total number of participants of the survey is 407 first-graders (51.1 percent boys and 48.9 per cent girls) and 407 parents. Results: The survey shows that almost two thirds of boys and girls (60.1 per cent and 61.8 percent) attend sports and/or dance clubs. The largest proportion (two fifths) of boys and girls attends clubs two times a week. The research shows that almost all of first-graders (93,6 per cent) spend a lot time (more than two hours) watching television on weekends. The nutrition survey shows that 67 per cent of children eat breakfast every day. Fresh fruits (62.4 per cent) and steamed vegetables (58.7 per cent) are the most common among first grade students. It was found that 65.6 percent of fathers and 31.3 percent of mothers have overweight or are obese. The survey shows that one fifth of mothers and fathers with increased BMI complained with increased arterial blood pressure. Children‘s whose fathers suffer from diabetes chances not to take sweetened soft drinks is 6.25 times lower than children‘s whose fathers are not suffering from this disease. Conclusions: More than half of boys and girls often exercise in their free time, p < 0.0001. Although the majority of students eat breakfast, only 43 per cent of first-graders take diet regime and eat 4 times a day. Most of the fathers in the study have overweight. A fifth of parents had high blood pressure. It was found that health status of parents is related with diet and physical activity of their children