Health-related Measures of 6- and 10-year-old Irish Primary School Children by Sex and School Socio-economic Status

Objective: This paper provides an assessment of the health status of Irish children, across sex and school socio-economic status (SES). Methods: Children (N = 655) from 10 schools participated in the evaluation, whereby body composition, blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity measures were recorded. Results: Children from low SES schools had larger waists and slower run times (p < .05) than children from middle/high SES schools. Six-year-old children from low SES schools had higher body mass index (BMI) scores and resting heart rates; they also were more likely to be overweight or obese (p < .01) compared to their middle/high SES counterparts. Conclusions: Policy efforts to improve the health of Irish children should prioritize low SES schools.