The Relation between Aerobic Fitness, Muscular Fitness, and Obesity in Children from Three Countries at Different Stages of the Physical Activity Transition

Background. The physical activity transition is contributing to an increase in childhood obesity and a decrease in fitness worldwide. This study compared body composition and fitness measures in children from three countries and examined intercountry differences in the relationship between these variables. Methods. Participants consisted of 736 Canadian, 193 Mexican, and 179 Kenyan children aged 9–13 years. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, triceps skinfolds, aerobic fitness, and muscular fitness were measured. Linear regression was used to examine associations between variables. Results. The prevalence of obesity was the highest in Mexican children (9.2% boys, 8.4% girls) and the lowest in Kenyan children (0.9% boys, 2.8% girls). Aerobic fitness (VO2max in mL/kg/min) was the highest in Kenyan children (50.2 boys, 46.7 girls) and the lowest in Canadian children (41.3 boys, 38.3 girls). Aerobic fitness was negatively associated with body composition measures irrespective of country and sex. Mexican children with low aerobic fitness had higher body composition measures than Canadian and Kenyan children. Muscular fitness was not associated with the body composition measures in Kenyan children but was a weak positive correlate of BMI and waist circumference in Canadian and Mexican children. Conclusion. The current study provides some evidence to support the physical activity transition hypothesis.

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The Relationship Between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Body Composition in Nutrition and Dietetic Students

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120002876 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Servet Madencioğlu ◽

Sevinç Yücecan

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Composition ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Near East ◽

Female Students ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Nutrition And Dietetics ◽

The Relationship

AbstractIntroductionThe determination of level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) in young adults has been investigated in countries situated near the Mediterranean region generally. The main purpose of this study were to determine differences in body composition by gender and level of adherence to the MD and to determine the relationship between body composition and level of adherence to the MD in Nutrition and Dietetics students at Near East University in Cyprus.Materials and MethodsThe study was conducted on 126 Nutrition and Dietetics students, aged 18 to 32 years. MDS was calculated, and then classified into three groups: good (36–55 points), moderate (21–35 points), and poor (0–20 points). Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance (BIA). Anthropometrical measurements; height (H), body weight (BW), waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC) were assessed according to standardized procedures and physical activity (PA) was assessed by using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-short form). The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee at Near East University.ResultsAccording to study results 31.0% of students were found out to low adherence, while 69.0% of students had moderate adherence to the MD. There is no student had high adherence to the MD. There was no significant difference (p = 0.877) between the male and female students in terms of adherence to Mediterranean diet. The findings indicate that the eating habits of the Nutrition and Dietetics students, even those studying nutrition, are in need of improvement. The results show that 78.6% of students were normal and 21.4% of students were overweight and obese. Male students’ BW (p = 0.000), WC (p = 0.000) and HC (p = 0.015) were higher than females’, while female students’ fat mass (FM) (p = 0.000) was higher than males’. However, there is no significant difference between BW (p = 0.724), FM (p = 0.896), BMI (p = 0.691), WC (p = 0.632) and HC (p = 0.982) neither low adherence nor moderate adherence to the MD. Most of students minimal active according to IPAQ scores (41.2%) and there is no significant difference IPAQ score and adherence to the MD (p = 0.923).DiscussionOne of the healthiest diets worldwide is the traditional MD. Several studies have shown, that higher adherence to the MD is inversely related with BMI, waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHR). Little is known of how adherence to the MD is related to body composition, especially in university students. Further large-scale studies are required to clarify the relationship between adherence to the MD and body composition

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The Relationship among Television Watching, Physical Activity, and Body Composition of 5- or 6-Year-Old Children

Pediatric Exercise Science ◽

10.1123/pes.8.1.15 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 15-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Robert H. DuRant ◽

William O. Thompson ◽

Maribeth Johnson ◽

Tom Baranowski

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Composition ◽

Rating Scale ◽

The Body ◽

Activity Level ◽

Television Watching ◽

Activity Rating ◽

The Relationship

This follow-up investigation examined the relationship among observed time of television watching, physical activity, and body composition in 5- to 6-year-old children previously studied 2 years ago. Activity level on school and nonschool days was measured with the Children’s Activity Rating Scale. Television watching time was assessed by direct observation, and body composition was measured with the body mass index, skinfold thicknesses, and waist/hip ratio. Television watching behavior, which increased from the earlier study, was not associated with body composition. Physical activity was lower during television watching than nontelevision watching time.

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Physical activity, aerobic fitness and brain white matter: their role for executive functions in adolescence

10.1101/674846 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Ilona Ruotsalainen ◽

Tetiana Gorbach ◽

Jaana Perkola ◽

Ville Renvall ◽

Heidi J. Syväoja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Working Memory ◽

White Matter ◽

Corpus Callosum ◽

Executive Functions ◽

Fractional Anisotropy ◽

Aerobic Fitness ◽

The Body ◽

The Relationship ◽

The Brain

AbstractPhysical activity and exercise beneficially link to brain properties and cognitive functions in older adults, but it is unclear how these results generalise to other age groups. During adolescence, the brain undergoes significant changes, which are especially pronounced in white matter. Existing studies provide contradictory evidence regarding the influence of physical activity or aerobic-exercise on executive functions in youth. Little is also known about the link between both aerobic fitness and physical activity with white matter during puberty. For this reason, we investigated the connection between both aerobic fitness (20-m shuttle run) and physical activity (moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity) with white matter in 59 adolescents (12.7–16.2 years). We further determined whether white matter interacts with the connection of fitness or physical activity with three core executive functions (sustained attention, spatial working memory and response inhibition). Our results showed that only the level of aerobic fitness, but not of physical activity was related to white matter properties. Furthermore, the white matter of specific tracts also moderated the links of aerobic fitness and physical activity with working memory. Our results suggest that aerobic fitness and physical activity have an unequal contribution to the properties of white matter in adolescent brains. We propose that the differences in white matter properties could underlie the variations in the relationship between either physical activity or aerobic fitness with working memory.HighlightsAerobic fitness level, but not physical activity, is associated with white matter properties in several white matter tracts in the brain.The relationship between aerobic fitness and working memory was moderated by fractional anisotropy of the body of corpus callosum and in the right superior corona radiata.The relationship between physical activity and working memory was moderated by fractional anisotropy of the body and genu of corpus callosum.

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Associations of Body Composition and Physical Activity with Balance and Walking Ability in the Elderly

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2.3.298 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 298-306 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Maija Hassinen ◽

Pirjo Komulainen ◽

Timo A. Lakka ◽

Sari B. Väisänen ◽

Rainer Rauramaa

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Composition ◽

Waist Circumference ◽

Grip Strength ◽

Field Tests ◽

The Elderly ◽

Hand Grip Strength ◽

Walking Ability ◽

Muscular Fitness ◽

Hand Grip

Background:The epidemic of sedentary lifestyle and obesity increases the risk of disability with aging. We studied the relationships of body composition, physical activity, and muscular fitness with balance and walking ability.Methods:Men and women, age 70 to 74 y (n = 146), were randomly selected from the Finnish population register. Body composition [body weight, body-mass index (BMI), waist circumference], physical activity (questionnaire), muscular fitness (hand-grip strength), balance (commonly used field tests), and walking ability (20 m walking test) were assessed.Results:BMI (r = –0.287, P < 0.001), waist circumference (r = –0.260, P = 0.002), physical activity (r = 0.206, P = 0.013), and hand-grip strength (r = 0.244, P = 0.003) correlated with balance. BMI (r = 0.330, P < 0.001), waist circumference (r = 0.237, P = 0.004), physical activity (r = –0.252, P = 0.002), and hand-grip strength (r = –0.307, P < 0.001) also correlated with walking time.Conclusions:Overweight and central obesity as well as low muscular fitness associate with impaired balance and walking ability in the elderly.

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EFFECTS OF THE FITT PROGRAM ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTH-RELATED FITNESS IN PRIMARY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN

Facta Universitatis Series Physical Education and Sport ◽

10.22190/fupes1703437c ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (3) ◽

pp. 437

Author(s):

Dragan Cvejic ◽

Sergej Ostojić

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Aerobic Fitness ◽

The Body ◽

School Age Children ◽

Muscular Fitness ◽

Before And After ◽

Health Related ◽

Simultaneous Decrease ◽

Primary School Age ◽

Health Related Fitness

Evaluation of the effects of an eight-week innovative FITT program of Physical Education to Physical Activity (PA) and health-related fitness (HRF). In the experimental group (N=92), with FITT guidelines, the students have been “introduced” to the development of the HRF zone. There have been 16 classes for the development of the aerobic fitness and 8 classes for the development of muscular fitness. Flexibility has been developed in the final parts of each class. The csontrol group (N=86) attended traditional classes of the same volume. Before and after the intervention, the HRF components evaluation was performed with the battery of FITNESSGRAM tests and the PA by the pedometer OMRON HJ-320. Both groups showed a significant increase in the maximum consumption of oxygen and the number of depleted shares (PACER laps), with the simultaneous decrease in the PA level. The FITT program significantly contributed to the improvement of aerobic fitness, muscular fitness and partially flexibility. There was no difference between the group in the body composition and the PA level. FITT intervention is a promising school strategy for improving the aerobic and muscular fitness of students.

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The Relationship between Physical Activity, Body Mass Index and Body Composition among Students at a Pre-University Centre in Malaysia

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia ◽

10.31436/imjm.v19i2.1567 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

Author(s):

You HW ◽

Tan PL ◽

Mat Ludin AF

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Composition ◽

University Students ◽

Muscle Mass ◽

Body Mass ◽

Fat Mass ◽

The Body ◽

Study Results ◽

The Relationship

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity is an essential element in our daily life that leads to long-term health benefits. Physical activity refers to movement of the body that requires energy. Body mass index (BMI) indicates a ratio of body weight to squared height, which is a useful health indicator. On the contrary, body composition describes the body by measuring percentages of fat and muscle in human bodies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the relationship between physical activities, BMI and body composition among pre-university students from one of the universities in Selangor, Malaysia. Stratified random sampling was employed to recruit 70 pre-university students into this study. RESULTS: From the study, 50% of the respondents are categorized as minimally active. In addition, there is significant difference between the physical activity levels of male and female respondents. The relationship between physical activity and BMI indicates a very weak negative correlation. Similarly, the correlation between physical activity and fat mass is a weak negative relationship. Meanwhile, there is a weak positive correlation between physical activity and muscle mass. CONCLUSION: Therefore, it can be concluded that when physical activity increases, BMI and body fat mass will decrease, while muscle mass will increase. Moreover, it was shown that there was a significant relationship between physical activity and body composition.

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Does fitness make the grade? The relationship between elementary students’ physical fitness and academic grades

Health Education Journal ◽

10.1177/0017896916672898 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 76 (3) ◽

pp. 302-312 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kent A Lorenz ◽

Michalis Stylianou ◽

Shannon Moore ◽

Pamela Hodges Kulinna

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Physical Education ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Aerobic Fitness ◽

Ethnic Background ◽

Percentile Rank ◽

Fourth Grade Students ◽

Fitness Measures ◽

The Relationship

Background and Objective: Increased emphasis on academic outcomes has reduced the amount of time spent in physical education and other school physical activity opportunities in many schools in the USA. However, physical fitness is a positive predictor of academic performance on standardised tests, and students who perform better on fitness measures may earn higher grades. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical fitness and teacher-assigned grades in fourth-grade students and examine whether the relationship is moderated by body composition, gender or ethnic background. Design: Cross-sectional design. Students’ fitness levels were assessed mid-way through the spring semester, and their third-quarter grades were obtained from the schools. Participants and setting: Fourth-grade students ( N = 80; 38 female students; 65 non-Hispanic or Latino) from two elementary schools in the south-western USA. Method: Students completed physical fitness measures using standard procedures from the FITNESSGRAM protocol, and standardised teacher-assigned grades in reading, writing, mathematics, social studies and science were compiled. Linear regression and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were performed to examine the relationship between physical fitness measures and average grades, and examine whether differences in fitness and grades existed between gender, ethnic background and body mass index (BMI) percentile rank. Results: Aerobic fitness, as measured by the number of 20-m Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) laps completed, had a significant influence on reading, writing, mathematics and science grades. There were no significant interactions between aerobic fitness and ethnic background, gender or BMI percentile rank, meaning that aerobic fitness was the largest specific influence on average teacher-assigned grades. Conclusion: Positive associations exist between physical fitness and academic performance, suggesting activities that help children improve their physical fitness ought to be a central component of physical education and broader school physical activity programmes.

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Analysis of Relationship between the Body Mass Composition and Physical Activity with Body Posture in Children

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2016/1851670 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Justyna Wyszyńska ◽

Justyna Podgórska-Bednarz ◽

Justyna Drzał-Grabiec ◽

Maciej Rachwał ◽

Joanna Baran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass ◽

Muscle Tissue ◽

Physical Activity Level ◽

The Body ◽

Body Posture ◽

Activity Level ◽

Mass Composition ◽

Body Mass Composition ◽

The Relationship

Introduction. Excessive body mass in turn may contribute to the development of many health disorders including disorders of musculoskeletal system, which still develops intensively at that time.Aim. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between children’s body mass composition and body posture. The relationship between physical activity level of children and the parameters characterizing their posture was also evaluated.Material and Methods. 120 school age children between 11 and 13 years were enrolled in the study, including 61 girls and 59 boys. Each study participant had the posture evaluated with the photogrammetric method using the projection moiré phenomenon. Moreover, body mass composition and the level of physical activity were evaluated.Results. Children with the lowest content of muscle tissue showed the highest difference in the height of the inferior angles of the scapulas in the coronal plane. Children with excessive body fat had less slope of the thoracic-lumbar spine, greater difference in the depth of the inferior angles of the scapula, and greater angle of the shoulder line. The individuals with higher level of physical activity have a smaller angle of body inclination.Conclusion. The content of muscle tissue, adipose tissue, and physical activity level determines the variability of the parameter characterizing the body posture.

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Examining the Relationship Between Physical Activity Intensity and Adiposity in Young Women

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2013-0441 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 764-769 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Bruce W. Bailey ◽

Pamela Borup ◽

James D. LeCheminant ◽

Larry A. Tucker ◽

Jacob Bromley

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Composition ◽

Body Fat ◽

Young Women ◽

Physical Activity Intensity ◽

Fat Percentage ◽

Bod Pod ◽

Activity Intensity ◽

Objectively Measured ◽

The Relationship

Background:The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between intensity of physical activity (PA) and body composition in 343 young women.Methods:Physical activity was objectively measured using accelerometers worn for 7 days in women 17 to 25 years. Body composition was assessed using the BOD POD.Results:Young women who spent less than 30 minutes a week performing vigorous PA had significantly higher body fat percentages than women who performed more than 30 minutes of vigorous PA per week (F = 4.54, P = .0113). Young women who spent less than 30 minutes per day in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) had significantly higher body fat percentages than those who obtained more than 30 minutes per day of MVPA (F = 7.47, P = .0066). Accumulating more than 90 minutes of MVPA per day was associated with the lowest percent body fat. For every 10 minutes spent in MVPA per day, the odds of having a body fat percentage above 32% decreased by 29% (P = .0002).Conclusion:Vigorous PA and MVPA are associated with lower adiposity. Young women should be encouraged to accumulate at least 30 minutes of MVPA per day, however getting more than 90 minutes a day is predictive of even lower levels of adiposity.

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Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Body Composition in Postmenopausal Women

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2014-0099 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 139-148 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Helena Moreira ◽

Betânia Passos ◽

Josiane Rocha ◽

Vivianne Reis ◽

André Carneiro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Oxygen Uptake ◽

Metabolic Rate ◽

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Aerobic Fitness ◽

Basal Metabolic Rate ◽

Visceral Fat ◽

Central Adiposity ◽

Visceral Fat Area ◽

The Relationship

Abstract The object of the study was to analyze the relationship between aerobic fitness and body composition in postmenopausal women. We hypothesized that postmenopausal women that had higher adiposity had lower cardiorespiratory capacity, regardless of the characteristics of menopause. The sample included 208 women (57.57 ± 6.62 years), whose body composition and the basal metabolic rate were evaluated by octopolar bioimpedance (InBody 720) and the oxygen uptake by the modified Bruce protocol. Most of the sample showed obesity and a high visceral fat area. The visceral fat area and the basal metabolic rate explained 30% of the variation of oxygen uptake, regardless of age, time, nature or hormone therapy. The values of the latter variables were reduced in the presence of high central adiposity (-6.16 ml/kg/min) and the basal metabolic rate of less than 1238 kcal/day (-0.18 ml/kg/min). The women with oxygen uptake above 30.94 ml/kg/min showed lower values of total and central adiposity when compared with other groups. With an increase of aerobic fitness, there was a growing tendency of the average values of the soft lean mass index, with differences between the groups low-high and moderate-high. These results suggest worsening of the cardiorespiratory condition with an increase of central adiposity and a decrease of the BMR, regardless of age and menopause characteristics.

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