Start Date
18-6-2025 12:30 PM
End Date
18-6-2025 2:00 PM
Abstract
Introduction The weight status disparity in children with special educational needs (SEN) is associated with physical activity (PA) (Jebeile et al., 2022; Lister et al., 2023), which can vary between weekdays and weekends among school-aged children but remains underexplored (Brazendale et al., 2021). This study explored the association between PA during weekdays versus weekends and adiposity among children with SEN in Hong Kong.
Methodology A sample of 157 school-aged children with SEN (mean age: 8.7 ± 1.4 years; 82.2% boys) participated in this cross-sectional study. Wrist-worn ActiGraph GT9X accelerometers were used to measure PA, and the percentage body fat was assessed with a bioelectrical impedance analyser. Parents provided their children’s demographic information (e.g., age and SEN type). Generalised linear models were performed, adjusting for demographic information and school clustering.
Results On average, children engaged in 307.6 ± 89.9 min of total PA per day, with 36.1 ± 23.1 min spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). No significant association was observed between total PA on weekdays or weekends and children’s body fat percentage. Children who accumulated higher levels of MVPA during weekdays had a lower body fat percentage (B = –0.29, 95% CI: –0.57, –0.00), while no association was found for MVPA on weekends.
Conclusions The results revealed that the levels of MVPA during the weekdays among children with SEN were associated with their body weight status. These findings suggest that the school environment appears to play an important role in shaping the movement behaviours and weight status of children with SEN. Furthermore, guidance and strategies should be provided to parents to get their children to be physically active on weekends, promoting continuity of healthy behaviours beyond the school setting.
Recommended Citation
Feng, Jie Dr.; Sit, Cindy Hui-ping Prof.; Wong, Stephen Heung-sang Prof.; Huang, Wendy Yajun Dr.; Wong, Martin Chi-sang Prof.; Sum, Raymond Kim-wai Prof.; Carty, Catherine Ms.; Kong, Judy Ka-wai Ms.; and Sui, Jinghao Mr., "Weekdays and weekends do not contribute equally: Uncovering the association between physical activity and adiposity among children with special educational needs in Hong Kong" (2025). International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment and Deafblindness. 50.
https://sword.mtu.ie/isapa/2025/day3/50
Weekdays and weekends do not contribute equally: Uncovering the association between physical activity and adiposity among children with special educational needs in Hong Kong
Introduction The weight status disparity in children with special educational needs (SEN) is associated with physical activity (PA) (Jebeile et al., 2022; Lister et al., 2023), which can vary between weekdays and weekends among school-aged children but remains underexplored (Brazendale et al., 2021). This study explored the association between PA during weekdays versus weekends and adiposity among children with SEN in Hong Kong.
Methodology A sample of 157 school-aged children with SEN (mean age: 8.7 ± 1.4 years; 82.2% boys) participated in this cross-sectional study. Wrist-worn ActiGraph GT9X accelerometers were used to measure PA, and the percentage body fat was assessed with a bioelectrical impedance analyser. Parents provided their children’s demographic information (e.g., age and SEN type). Generalised linear models were performed, adjusting for demographic information and school clustering.
Results On average, children engaged in 307.6 ± 89.9 min of total PA per day, with 36.1 ± 23.1 min spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). No significant association was observed between total PA on weekdays or weekends and children’s body fat percentage. Children who accumulated higher levels of MVPA during weekdays had a lower body fat percentage (B = –0.29, 95% CI: –0.57, –0.00), while no association was found for MVPA on weekends.
Conclusions The results revealed that the levels of MVPA during the weekdays among children with SEN were associated with their body weight status. These findings suggest that the school environment appears to play an important role in shaping the movement behaviours and weight status of children with SEN. Furthermore, guidance and strategies should be provided to parents to get their children to be physically active on weekends, promoting continuity of healthy behaviours beyond the school setting.