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Paediatrics Department, Novo Sarajevo Health Centre , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Pediatrics Department, Ilidža Health Centre , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Pediatrics Department, Centre Health Centre , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Pediatrics Department, Ilidža Health Centre , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Department of Family Medicine, Novi Grad Health Centre , Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina
Aim To analyse a correlation between physical activity (PA) and acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in preschool children aged 5 to 7 years.
Methods Data on both ARIs, sedentary behaviour (SB) and PA were obtained through specially created questionnaires for this study and relationships between them were examined.
Results A total of 129 children with an average age of 72.2±4.2 months, with a slightly higher number of males, 65 (50.4%), have participated in the study. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) were in a significantly negative correlation with the frequency of training on weekdays (p=0.041) and weekends (p=0.005). Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) had a significantly positive correlation with the frequency of usage of electronic gaming devices on weekdays (p=0.034), and a significant negative correlation with the frequency of spending time in nature on weekends (p=0.036). ARIs in total were in a significant negative correlation with the frequency of training on weekdays (p=0.025) and weekends (p=0.005).
Conclusion An increase of SB and reduced PA level showed a negative impact on the ARIs increase. It is recommended to introduce programs to increase PA among young children.
Conceptualization, M.M., M.L., A.K. and L.K.; Data curation, M.M., M.L., B.K.Z. and L.K.; Formal Analysis, M.M. and M.L.; Investigation, M.M., M.L., B.K.Z. and A.K.; Methodology, M.M., M.L., B.K.Z., A.K. and L.K.; Project administration, M.M. and A.K.; Software, M.M.; Supervision, M.M.; Validation, M.M.; Visualization, M.M.; Writing – original draft, M.M. and A.K.; Writing – review & editing, M.M., M.L., B.K.Z. and L.K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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