Objective:

The main objective of this research is to describe relationship between physical activity and nutritional status level of schoolchildren in Tabasco, a southeastern state from Mexico.

Materials and methods:

It was used a descriptive-correlational design with random unrestricted probabilistic of 2,084 schoolchildren sample enrolled in six primary schools in Tabasco. Data was collected through the "Four by One-day physical activity questionnaire", in addition to anthropometric assessments.

Results:

The results showed that 46.3% of schoolchildren are overweight and obese and that the physical activities most frequently carried out by schoolchildren are very light, indicating lower energy expenditure. It is also reflected that from 62% of very inactive infants, girls represent 34.7%, indicating they are more inactive compared to boys. It was found a statistically significant negative relationship (rs = -, 105, p =, 001) of physical activity with nutritional status.