Objectives: Many children are insufficiently active, and children with a migration background appear to be even less active and at a higher risk of developing obesity. This study evaluated the weight status, and the frequencies and intensities of objectively assessed physical activity (PA) of children with and without a migration background. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: PA was assessed objectively for 6 days in 273 children (aged 7.1 ± 0.6 years). In total, 74 children (27%) were classified as having a migration background. PA was grouped in light and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) intensities. Body mass index (BMI) percentiles (BMIPCT) were determined. Results: Children without a migration background spent more time in MVPA compared with children with a migration background (138.2 ± 62.6 vs 121.7 ± 54.9 min, respectively; P < 0.01). On weekends, time in MVPA decreased significantly for all children (112.3 ± 66.0 min, P < 0.01), especially for children with a migration background (97.7 ± 56.7 min, P < 0.01). Children with a migration background displayed significantly higher BMIPCT than children without a migration background (55.7 ± 29.6 vs 44.3 ± 26.8, respectively; P < 0.01) and were significantly more often overweight and/or obese (13.5% vs 8.5%, respectively; P < 0.02). Conclusions: Children with a migration background are less physically active and more often overweight, resulting in higher risks of developing secondary diseases. The results of this study should be considered when designing interventions to increase PA in children with a migration background. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS-ID: DRKS00000494; © 2019 The Author(s)

Immigration overweight Accelerometer

primary school physical activity body composition Germany immigrant energy expenditure clinical trial exercise exercise intensity human Schools controlled study obesity comparative study weight Cross-Sectional Studies school child cross-sectional study Humans male moderate physical activity low physical activity frequency vigorous physical activity risk factor female moderate to vigorous physical activity high risk population school child health Article migration body weight Emigration and Immigration primary education Accelerometry body mass Pediatric Obesity childhood obesity Child public health immigrant population