The Association of Weight Status with Physical Fitness among Chinese Children

Objective. To investigate the association of weight status with physical fitness among Chinese children.Methods. A total of 6929 children aged 6–12 years were selected from 15 primary schools of 5 provincial capital cities in eastern China. The height and fasting body weight were measured. The age-, sex-specific BMI WHO criteria was used to define underweight, overweight and obesity. Physical fitness parameters including standing broad jump, 50 m sprint, and 50 m∗8 shuttle run were tested.Results. The prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity was 3.1%, 14.9%, and 7.8%, respectively. Boys performed better than girls, and the older children performed better than their younger counterparts for all physical fitness tests. No significant difference in all three physical fitness tests were found between children with underweight and with normal weight, and they both performed better than their counterparts with overweight and obese in all three physical fitness tests. The likelihood of achieving good performance was much lower among overweight and obese children in comparison with their counterparts with normal weight (OR=0.13–0.54).Conclusions. An inverse association of obesity with cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle explosive strength, and speed was identified among Chinese children.

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Influence of Body Composition on Physical Fitness in Adolescents

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina56070328 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (7) ◽

pp. 328

Author(s):

María Mendoza-Muñoz ◽

José Carmelo Adsuar ◽

Jorge Pérez-Gómez ◽

Laura Muñoz-Bermejo ◽

Miguel Ángel Garcia-Gordillo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Weight Status ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Regression Equations ◽

Obese Adolescents ◽

Fitness Test ◽

Fitness Tests

Background and objectives: Childhood obesity is one of the main public health issues facing advanced societies. The Spanish population presents 28.6% overweight or obese adolescents, and Extremadura, 22.3%. Physical fitness is considered one of the most important health markers and a common predictor of morbidity and mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases. Thus, fitness tests are needed for health monitoring, especially in overweight and obese adolescents. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between body composition and physical fitness in adolescents and to analyse if there are differences in physical condition and body composition between the sexes, as well as to compare the different body mass index (BMI) categories to each other. This project also tried to find regression equations to predict the physical fitness test results. Materials and Methods: A total of 225 adolescents were recruited. Weight status was classified according to WHO 2007 standards. Body composition variables (i.e., BMI, fat mass (FM), FM percentage (FM%), and fat-free mass (FFM)) and physical fitness (standing long jump (SLJ), speed–agility (SA), cardiorespiratory fitness (CF), and handgrip strength (HS)) were assessed. Results: Significant differences were found between the sexes in body composition (FM%, FM, and FFM) and physical fitness (SLJ, SA, CF, and HS) (p < 0.001) in favour of males. Significant differences were also found in speed (p = 0.002), CF (p < 0.001), and SLJ (p = 0.004) in favour of normal-weight adolescents compared to overweight and obese adolescents. Contrarily, the outcomes revealed a significantly greater HS (p = 0.014) in favour of overweight and obese participants compared to normal-weight adolescents. Moreover, the results showed that CF and SLJ correlated inversely with BMI, FM%, and total FM. There was also a direct relationship between SA and FM percentage, as well as between HS and FFM. Finally, four fitness test predictive models are proposed based on body composition, age, sex, and BMI. Conclusions: Overweight and obese adolescents have lower levels of physical fitness than their normal-weight peers, regardless of their sex. Normal-ranged body composition values are related to a greater physical fitness in adolescents. Furthermore, this study presents several equations that can help to predict the performance of different fitness tests in adolescents.

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Physical fitness in preschoolers according to body composition

Acta Kinesiologiae Universitatis Tartuensis ◽

10.12697/akut.2018.24.04 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 ◽

pp. 51-59

Author(s):

Eva-Maria Riso ◽

Lisette Toplaan ◽

Piret Viira ◽

Sille Vaiksaar ◽

Jaak Jürimäe

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Composition ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Body Mass ◽

Weight Status ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Weight Bearing ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Fat Free Mass ◽

Fitness Tests

The objective of this study was to investigate physical fitness of preschoolaged children just before entering school according to their body mass index, and to examine possible associations of body mass index, fat mass and fat-free mass with physical fitness in preschool-aged children. Two hundred and fifty-six preschoolers aged 6 to 7 years participated in the study. Physical fitness was assessed using PREFIT test battery and body composition was estimated using four skinfold thickness parameters. Overweight children had lower cardiorespiratory fitness and lower results in all weight-bearing fitness tests, and better handgrip strength test result in comparison with normal-weight children. Significant associations were found between body composition indices and the results of physical fitness tests. Higher BMI associated negatively with weight-bearing physical fitness tests. The results of the research indicate that weight-status and body composition have significant effect on physical fitness in 6–7 years old preschoolers.

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WEIGHT STATUS, BMI AND PHYSICAL FITNESS IN POLISH YOUTH: RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN 1986 AND 2016

Acta kinesiologica ◽

10.51371/issn.1840-2976.2021.15.2.18 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 134-143

Author(s):

Sylwia Bartkowiak ◽

Jan M Konarski ◽

Ryszard Strzelczyk ◽

Jarosław Janowski ◽

Małgorzata Karpowicz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Fitness ◽

Weight Status ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Task Force ◽

Vertical Jump ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Cardiovascular Fitness ◽

The Body ◽

Step Test ◽

Fitness Tests

Background: One of the components affecting the level of health is physical fitness and diets, which is also considered the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Methods: Samples by survey ranged from 871 to 1,417 (boys) and from 843 to 1,326 (girls). Speed (5 m run), agility (figure-8-run), explosive power (vertical jump), flexibility (stand and reach) and cardiovascular fitness (step test) were measured. The Body Mass Index (BMI) of each student was classified as Thin, Normal weight or Overweight/Obese (Owt/Ob) relative to International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. Fitness items were compared among weight status groups and across surveys with sex-specific analyses of covariance. Regressions of each fitness item on the BMI in the four surveys were done using linear and nonlinear quadratic models. Results: Performances on all fitness tests except flexibility were poorer among Owt/Ob compared to Normal and Thin youth, but performances on fitness tests within weight status groups did not differ consistently across surveys. Conclusions: Relationships between the BMI and fitness tests varied across surveys, but suggested reasonably consistent cur-vilinear relationships between fitness tests and the BMI among boys more so than girls.

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The Role of Obesity in Predicting the Clinical Outcomes of COVID-19

Obesity Facts ◽

10.1159/000517180 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Serdar Sahin ◽

Havva Sezer ◽

Ebru Cicek ◽

Yeliz Yagız Ozogul ◽

Murat Yildirim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Study Groups ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Care Providers ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group A ◽

Group B ◽

Group D

Introduction: The aim of this was to describe the predictors of mortality related to COVID-19 infection and to evaluate the association between overweight, obesity, and clinical outcomes of COVID-19. Methods: We included the patients >18 years of age, with at least one positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Patients were grouped according to body mass index values as normal weight <25 kg/m2 (Group A), overweight from 25 to <30 kg/m2 (Group B), Class I obesity 30 to <35 kg/m2 (Group C), and ≥35 kg/m2 (Group D). Mortality, clinical outcomes, laboratory parameters, and comorbidities were compared among 4 groups. Results: There was no significant difference among study groups in terms of mortality. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation requirement was higher in group B and D than group A, while it was higher in Group D than Group C (Group B vs. Group A [p = 0.017], Group D vs. Group A [p = 0.001], and Group D vs. Group C [p = 0.016]). Lung involvement was less common in Group A, and presence of hypoxia was more common in Group D (Group B vs. Group A [p = 0.025], Group D vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group D vs. Group B [p = 0.006], and Group D vs. Group C [p = 0.014]). The hospitalization rate was lower in Group A than in the other groups; in addition, patients in Group D have the highest rate of hospitalization (Group B vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group C vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group D vs. Group A [p < 0.001], Group D vs. Group B [p < 0.001], and Group D vs. Group C [p = 0.010]). Conclusion: COVID-19 patients with overweight and obesity presented with more severe clinical findings. Health-care providers should take into account that people living with overweight and obesity are at higher risk for COVID-19 and its complications.

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Is overweight/obesity a risk factor for atopic allergic disease in prepubertal children? A case–control study

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism ◽

10.1515/jpem-2021-0051 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Aysel Vehapoglu ◽

Zeynep Ebru Cakın ◽

Feyza Ustabas Kahraman ◽

Mustafa Atilla Nursoy ◽

Ali Toprak

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Allergic Disease ◽

Weight Status ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

University Hospital ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Prepubertal Children ◽

Body Weight Status ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Objectives It is unclear whether body weight status (underweight/normal weight/overweight/obese) is associated with allergic disease. Our objective was to investigate the relationship between body weight status (body mass index; BMI) and atopic allergic disease in prepubertal children, and to compare children with atopic allergic diseases with non atopic healthy children. Methods A prospective cross sectional study of 707 prepubertal children aged 3–10 years was performed; the participants were 278 atopic children with physician-diagnosed allergic disease (allergic rhinitis and asthma) (serum total IgE level >100 kU/l and eosinophilia >4%, or positivity to at least one allergen in skin test) and 429 non atopic healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Data were collected between December 2019 and November 2020 at the Pediatric General and Pediatric Allergy Outpatient Clinics of Bezmialem Vakıf University Hospital. Results Underweight was observed in 11.6% of all participants (10.8% of atopic children, 12.2% of healthy controls), and obesity in 14.9% of all participants (18.0% of atopic children, 12.8% of controls). Obese (OR 1.71; 95% CI: 1.08–2.71, p=0.021), and overweight status (OR 1.62; 95% CI: 1.06–2.50, p=0.026) were associated with an increased risk of atopic allergic disease compared to normal weight in pre-pubertal children. This association did not differ by gender. There was no relationship between underweight status and atopic allergic disease (OR 1.03; 95% CI: 0.63–1.68, p=0.894). Conclusions Overweight and obesity were associated with an increased risk of atopic allergic disease compared to normal weight among middle-income and high-income pre pubertal children living in Istanbul.

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Growth and Weight Status in Chinese Children and Their Association with Family Environments

Children ◽

10.3390/children8050397 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (5) ◽

pp. 397

Author(s):

Xu Tian ◽

Hui Wang

Keyword(s):

Weight Status ◽

Family Income ◽

Decomposition Analysis ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Chinese Children ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

Growth Status ◽

Health And Nutrition ◽

The Impact ◽

Over Time

The growth status and weight status of Chinese children have experienced remarkable changes in the past decades. Using China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) data, this paper examines the secular trends and disparity of the growth status and weight status in Chinese children and further investigates the impact of various family environments on children’s growth from 1991 to 2011. We found an increasing trend in standardized growth indicators (height, weight, and BMI), overweight, and obesity from 1991 to 2011. We also observed an increasing disparity in overweight and obesity over time. Family environments had a significant impact on children’s growth status and weight status. In particular, children that live in families with a small size, higher family income, better sanitary conditions, and with well-educated parents or overweight parents tended to be taller and heavier and have a higher BMI, lower risk of being underweight, and higher risk of exhibiting overweight and obesity. Further decomposition analysis showed that more than 70% of the disparity in standardized height, weight, and overweight and around 50% of the disparity in standardized BMI, underweight, and obesity could be attributed to heterogeneity in family environments. Moreover, the disparity associated with family environments tended to increase over time.

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Preliminary Evidence of Children’s Weight Gain From 5 Months of Home Quarantine During the COVID-19 Pandemic

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine ◽

10.1177/15598276211006657 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 155982762110066

Author(s):

Keith Brazendale ◽

Jeanette Garcia ◽

Ethan T. Hunt ◽

Michael Blankenship ◽

Daniel Eisenstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Status ◽

Preventive Measures ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Preventative Measures ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Impact ◽

Weight Data ◽

Overweight Or Obesity

Purpose. Preventive measures to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)—such as home quarantine, closure of schools/programs—are necessary, yet the impact of these restrictions on children’s weight status is unknown. The purpose of this case report was to investigate changes in children’s body mass index (BMI) and zBMI during COVID-19 quarantine. Methods. Children had their heights and weights recorded early March 2020 (pre-COVID-19) and 5 months later (early August 2020). Paired sample t tests examined changes in BMI and zBMI from baseline to follow-up. Results. Twenty-nine children (62% female; mean age 9.3 years; 27.5% with overweight or obesity) provided height and weight data at both time points. There was a significant difference in pre-COVID-19 BMI (mean [M] = 20.1, standard deviation [SD] = 6.0) and follow-up BMI (M = 20.7, SD = 6.4); t(57) = −3.8, P < .001, and pre-COVID-19 zBMI (M = 0.8, SD = 0.9) and follow-up zBMI (M = 0.9, SD = 0.9); t(57) = -3.1, P = .003. Five of the 29 children moved from normal weight to overweight (n = 4) or obese (n = 1) during 5 months of quarantine. Conclusions. Preliminary evidence shows most children increased their BMI and zBMI values from pre-COVID-19 assessment to the follow-up assessment, 5 months later. These initial findings identify potential incidental negative health consequences of children as a result of COVID-19 preventative measures such as home quarantine.

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Nutrition Literacy among Adolescents and Its Association with Eating Habits and BMI in Tripoli, Lebanon

Diseases ◽

10.3390/diseases9020025 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 25

Author(s):

Sara Taleb ◽

Leila Itani

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Food Habits ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Assessment Instrument ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽

Cross Sectional

(1) Background: Adolescence is a period of increased autonomy and independent decision making; it determines health behaviors that can persist into the future. Individual factors like food choices and unhealthy lifestyle have an essential role in the development and prevention of obesity among adolescents and are associated with the nutrition literacy of parents and other adults. While the association of parents’ nutrition literacy with adolescent BMI has been addressed, there is still a scarcity of studies that examine the effect of adolescents’ nutrition literacy on their eating habits and body mass index (BMI) status. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted that included 189 adolescents (68 with overweight and obesity and 121 with normal weight) aged between 14–19 years from four private schools in Tripoli, Lebanon. A self-administered questionnaire that included the Nutrition Literacy Assessment Instrument (NLAI) and the Adolescent Food Habits Checklist (AFHC) was used. Anthropometrics were measured using standardized procedures. The association between nutrition literacy, food habits and BMI was assessed using a chi squared test for independence and Poisson regression analysis where suitable. (3) Results: Results indicated no association between all five components of nutrition literacy and body mass index categories. Furthermore, there was no association between the Adolescent Food Habits Checklist and overweight or obese BMI status (RR = 0.947, 95%CI: 0.629–1.426) (p = 0.796). No association was observed between nutrition literacy and food habits, except for an inverse association with macronutrients literacy. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, the study indicated that there was no association between the components of nutrition literacy with body mass index or with food habits, except for macronutrient literacy.

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Physical fitness of rhythmic gymnasts depending on age and level of sports achievements

Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0014.8128 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (91) ◽

pp. 29-36

Author(s):

Katarzyna Sterkowicz-Przybycień ◽

Paula Fundament

Keyword(s):

Physical Fitness ◽

Body Height ◽

Age Groups ◽

Standing Position ◽

Time Duration ◽

Balance Test ◽

Eyes Closed ◽

Fitness Tests ◽

Rhythmic Gymnasts ◽

Better Than

Aim. The aim of this study was to compare the indices of physical development, frequency and time duration of training, and the results of physical fitness tests depending on age and level of sports achievements among rhythmic gymnasts. Materials and methods. The study comprised 36 rhythmic gymnasts: Gr1 (n=13, 9.0±1.0 years), Gr2 (n=11, 11.36±0.5 years), Gr3 (n=12, 14.27±0.7 years). After standardised sports interview, the groups with lower level of sports achievements (LSL) (n=20) and higher level of sports achievements (HSL) (n=16) were defined. Measurements of body height and mass were performed. The study participants performed the broad jump test, Unipedal Stance Test with Eyes Open (UPST-EO) and Eyes Closed (EC), and the rhythmic gymnastics specific coordinative test with a hoop. Results. The number of training sessions per week and their duration did not depend on age. The results of the broad jump were significantly different for groups Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3 (F=27.02, p<0.01). The average results for the 3 trials of UPST-EO in Gr2 and Gr3 were better than in Gr1 (F=5.51, p=0.008). The average result of UPST-EC for Gr3 was also significantly better than for Gr1 (W=9.53, p=0.008). The hoop test showed differences for all age groups Gr1<Gr3<Gr2 (F=11.55, p<0.001). HSL athletes were significantly different from LSL in frequency and duration of training, average results from 3 trials of UPST-EO, UPSTEC and the best result of UPST-EC (p<0.05). Conclusions. Differences between groups in physical fitness tests results depended on gymnasts’ age and showed their usefulness in the control of training at a particular stage of sports development. HSL gymnasts predominated over LSL in results of the one-leg standing position postural balance test with eyes opened and closed. The detected differences can be useful for coaches in identifying and developing gymnastic talent.

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