Influence of overweight and childhood obesity on physical fitness according to socioeconomic level
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v70.110830Keywords:
Obesity, overweight, physical activity, physical fitness, socioeconomic levelAbstract
Introduction: Overweight and childhood obesity has increased its prevalence.
Objective: The main purpose of this study was to analyze whether overweight and childhood obesity related to socioeconomic levels determined physical fitness.
Methods: The sample included 3,279 children (1,634 boys and 1,645 girls) between the ages of 8 and 9, divided into two groups according to the gross disposable family income: advantaged group (n=1,829) and disadvantaged group (n=1,450). The anthropometric data obtained were weight and height to obtain the Body Mass Index (WHO z-scores). With regard to physical fitness, agility, cardiorespiratory condition and muscle strength were recorded.
Results: The field tests showed significantly higher performance in the advantaged group compared to the disadvantaged group: ball throw 422.6 ± 102.9 cm vs 391.9 ± 106.7 cm, vertical jump 22.8 ± 7.7 cm vs 21.4 ± 6.1 cm, long jump 131.9 ± 24.1 cm vs 122.2 ± 23.1 cm zig-zag race 12.0 ± 5.1 sec vs 12.7 ± 5.2 sec., 20-meter speed 4.6 ± 0.6 sec vs 4.8 ± 0.7 sec. and 20-meter shuttle run test 12.3 ± 3.9 paliers vs 11.6 ± 3.6 paliers. Significant differences were also found in the BMI of the advantaged group 17.3 ± 2.4 compared to the disadvantaged group 18.0 ± 3.2.
Conclusions: Children with a lower socioeconomic level showed a higher level of overweight and obesity, which contributed to lower physical fitness performance.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Myriam Guerra-Balic, Josep Cabedo Sanroma, Francesca Sánchez-Martínez, Gemma Serral-Cano, Josep Sánchez-Malagón, Carles Ariza-Cardenal
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