Figure 1: Comparison of the frequency of consumption of food among children by school location

First class
(n=82)

Second class
(n=94)

Third class
(n=84)

Total
(n=260)
Gender
Female
45 (54.9)
54 (57.4)
42 (50.0)
141 (54.2)
Male
37 (45.1)
40 (42.6)
42 (50.0)
119 (45.8)
Age, years
11 - 12
30 (36.6)
45 (47.9)
11 (13.1)
86 (33.1)
13 - 14*
41 (50.0)
36 (38.3)
55 (65.5)
132 (50.8)
15
11 (13.4)
13 (13.8)
18 (21.4)
42 (16.2)
Grade
7
34 (41.5)
36 (38.3)
37 (44.1)
107 (41.2)
8
33 (40.2)
33 (35.1)
36 (42.9)
102 (39.2)
9
15 (18.3)
25 (26.6)
11 (13.1)
51 (19.6)
Data are presented as n (%)
*A significantly higher proportion of the children were in the 13-14 years age group, P<0.05
Table 1: Demographic characteristics of children by school location

First class
(n=82)

Second class
(n=94)

Third class
(n=84)

Total
(n=260)
Physical Activitya
Lightb
5679.5±1826.1
5027.0±1789.9
4998.2±1601.1
5223.0±1763.8
Moderate
2573.0±2464.0
2203.1±1702.2
2513.5±1633.0
2420.1±1954.7
Vigorous
2191.9±2710.7
2974.0±3992.4
3306.8±3635.2
2834.8±3530.8
Total activity
10440.0±4926.7
10200.0±5314.9
10820.0±5066.6
10480.0±5101.6
Activity Ratingsc
Low
27 (32.9)
20 (21.3)
13 (15.5)
60 (23.1)
Moderate
22 (26.8)
24 (25.5)
10 (11.9)
56 (21.5)
High*
33 (40.2)
50 (53.2)
61 (72.6)
144 (55.4)

aValues are means±SD
bMean values of light activity are significantly different, p=0.018
cValues are presented as n (%)
*P<0.05
Table 2: Physical activity levels (metabolic equivalents, METS-minutes per week) and activity ratings distribution among children by school location

First class
(n=82)

Second class
(n=94)

Third class
(n=84)

Total
(n=260)
P (Significant level)
Energy intake (kcal)
2027.7±692.6
2174.3±812.0
2008.1±547.5
2074.4±699.0
0.219
Protein (g)
69.2±24.1
87.4±124.4
68.4±21.6
75.5±77.3
0.176
Protein (% energy)
13.7±2.1
14.0±2.7
13.6±2.3
13.8±2.4
Fat (g)
67.9±27.8
72.7±34.5
70.8±24.1
70.6±29.3
0.555
Fat (% energy)
29.8±6.6
29.7±6.9
31.2±5.8
30.2±6.5
CHO (g)
290.5±108.8
309.2±122.4
279.7±81.0
293.8±106.5
0.172
CHO (% energy)
56.6±7.3
56.3±8.0
55.2±5.9
56.0±7.2
Data are presented as mean±SD
CHO means carbohydrate
Table 3: Average nutrient intake among children by school location
Variables

First class
(n=82)

Second class
(n=94)

Third class
(n=82)

Total
(n=260)

BMI-for-age

z-scorea
1.24 (1.1)*
1.65 (1.1)*
0.50 (1.1)*
1.15 (1.2)*
Normal weight

Boys n (%)

Girls n (%)

13 (35.1)

15 (33.3)

13 (35.1)

13 (24.1)

31 (73.8)

28 (66.7)

57 (47.9)

56 (39.7)
Overweight

Boys n (%)

Girls n (%)

11 (29.7)

20 (44.4)

16 (40.0)

15 (27.8)

4 (9.5)

12 (28.6)

31 (26.1)

47 (33.3)
Obese

Boys n (%)

Girls n (%)

13 (35.1)

10 (22.2)

11 (27.5)

26 (48.2)

7 (16.7)

2 (4.8)

31 (26.0)

38 (27.0)
avalues are means±SD
*P<0.05
Table 4: Distribution of BMI and weight among children by school location
Predictor variable
B
Standard error
Beta
Significant level
Age (years)
.829
.258
.195
.002*
Female gender
1.378
.597
.139
.022*
Social classa
A class school
2.601
.745
.246
.001*
B class school
4.471
.757
.436
.001*
Fast food intakeb
Daily
1.634
1.043
.120
.118
Very frequent
2.559
1.204
.148
.035*
Frequent
.670
.882
.066
.448
Rarely
1.342
.954
.111
.161
Nutrient intakec
Carbohydrate (g)
.006
.017
.122
.742
Fat (g)
.009
.042
.055
.828
Energy
-.001
.004
-.183
.738
Activity score
-.000
.000
-.061
.303
Parents’ Incomed
Below ¢ 1000
.358
.772
.029
.643
Above ¢ 1000
.144
.706
.013
.839
Parents’ Educatione
JHS-SHS
-.023
.522
-.069
.489
Tertiary
.026
.303
-.011
.914
BMI is the dependent variable
aThe reference category for social class is C class schools (schools located in low income zone)
bThe reference category for fast food intake is Never
cThe reference category for Nutrient Intake is Protein
dThe reference category for Parent’s Income is Low income
eThe reference category for Parents’ level of education is Never attended-Elementary school
R2=.205: ΔR2=.186 (p=0.001)
*P<0.05
Table 5: The unstandardised and standardised regression coefficients for the variables entered into the model