PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME: THE ROLE OF AGE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS
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Keywords:
Down Syndrome, Physical Activity, Nutritional Status, AgeAbstract
physical activity and long-term health. This study aimed to analyze the association between age and nutritional status with physical activity levels in children with Down syndrome aged 3–10 years. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 31 children with Down syndrome in Malang, Indonesia. Nutritional status was assessed using weight-for-age and height-for-age based on Down syndrome– specific growth charts, while physical activity was measured using PAQ-C and EYPAQ with parental assistance. Spearman correlation was used, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Age was not significantly associated with physical activity (r = −0.233; p = 0.207). In contrast, weight-for-age (r = 0.371; p = 0.040) and height for-age (r = 0.428; p = 0.016) were significantly associated with physical activity. Nutritional status was significantly associated with physical activity, whereas age was not. These findings support the importance of early integrated nutritional and physical activity interventions in children with Down syndrome.
ABSTRAK
Anak dengan sindrom Down sering mengalami gangguan pertumbuhan, komposisi tubuh, dan fungsi fisik yang dapat memengaruhi aktivitas fisik serta meningkatkan risiko masalah kesehatan jangka panjang. Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis hubungan usia dan status gizi dengan tingkat aktivitas fisik pada anak sindrom Down usia 3–10 tahun. Studi cross-sectional dilakukan pada 31 anak sindrom Down di Malang, Indonesia. Status gizi dinilai berdasarkan grafik pertumbuhan khusus sindrom Down, dan aktivitas fisik diukur menggunakan Kuesioner Aktivitas Fisik (PAQ-C dan EY-PAQ) yang dibantu oleh orang tua dalam pengisiannya. Analisis menggunakan korelasi Spearman dengan signifikansi p < 0,05. Usia tidak berhubungan secara signifikan dengan aktivitas fisik (r = −0,233; p = 0,207). Sebaliknya, berat badan menurut usia (r = 0,371; p = 0,040) dan tinggi badan menurut usia (r = 0,428; p = 0,016) berhubungan secara signifikan dengan aktivitas fisik. Status gizi berhubungan secara signifikan dengan tingkat aktivitas fisik, sedangkan usia tidak. Temuan ini mendukung pentingnya intervensi gizi dan aktivitas fisik sejak dini pada anak dengan sindrom Down.
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