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Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Clustered Cardiovascular Risk in South African Primary Schoolchildren from Disadvantaged Communities: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Siphesihle Nqweniso

    (Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, University Way, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth 6019, South Africa)

  • Cheryl Walter

    (Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, University Way, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth 6019, South Africa)

  • Rosa du Randt

    (Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, University Way, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth 6019, South Africa)

  • Larissa Adams

    (Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, University Way, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth 6019, South Africa)

  • Johanna Beckmann

    (Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320 B, 4052 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Jan Degen

    (Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320 B, 4052 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Stefanie Gall

    (Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320 B, 4052 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Nandi Joubert

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Christin Lang

    (Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320 B, 4052 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Kurt Z. Long

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Ivan Müller

    (Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320 B, 4052 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Madeleine Nienaber

    (Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, University Way, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth 6019, South Africa)

  • Uwe Pühse

    (Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320 B, 4052 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Harald Seelig

    (Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320 B, 4052 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Danielle Smith

    (Department of Human Movement Science, Nelson Mandela University, University Way, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth 6019, South Africa)

  • Peter Steinmann

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Jürg Utzinger

    (Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, 4051 Basel, Switzerland
    University of Basel, 4001 Basel, Switzerland)

  • Markus Gerber

    (Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Birsstrasse 320 B, 4052 Basel, Switzerland)

Abstract

The coexistence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors has been reported in school-aged children from the age of nine years, but most evidence stems from high-income countries. This cross-sectional study aimed at describing the cardiovascular health risk, physical activity (PA) behavior and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels of South African primary schoolchildren, and at examining the associations between PA/CRF and a composite measure of cardiovascular risk. Cross-sectional data from 832 primary schoolchildren (grade 1–4) were analyzed. Total cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, systolic/diastolic blood pressure, body fat, and glycated hemoglobin were assessed as cardiovascular risk markers. Data were analyzed via mixed linear regressions and analyses of covariance. Overall, 24.2% of the participants did not meet current PA standards. Higher CRF/PA were associated with lower body fat and lower clustered cardiovascular risk ( p < 0.05). When categorizing children into CRF/PA quartiles, a lower clustered cardiovascular risk gradient was found in children with higher CRF ( p < 0.05) or PA ( p < 0.05). Our data shows that higher CRF/PA is associated with lower clustered cardiovascular risk already from a young age. Given that clustered cardiovascular risk present during childhood can track into adulthood, we advocate for PA participation and a healthy weight from a young age onwards.

Suggested Citation

  • Siphesihle Nqweniso & Cheryl Walter & Rosa du Randt & Larissa Adams & Johanna Beckmann & Jan Degen & Stefanie Gall & Nandi Joubert & Christin Lang & Kurt Z. Long & Ivan Müller & Madeleine Nienaber & U, 2021. "Physical Activity, Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Clustered Cardiovascular Risk in South African Primary Schoolchildren from Disadvantaged Communities: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:2080-:d:503067
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Stella K. Muthuri & Lucy-Joy M. Wachira & Allana G. Leblanc & Claire E. Francis & Margaret Sampson & Vincent O. Onywera & Mark S. Tremblay, 2014. "Temporal Trends and Correlates of Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, and Physical Fitness among School-Aged Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-33, March.
    2. Danladi I. Musa & Abel L. Toriola & Daniel T. Goon & Sunday U. Jonathan, 2020. "Association of Fitness and Fatness with Clustered Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Nigerian Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-10, August.
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    1. Markus Gerber & Christin Lang & Johanna Beckmann & Rosa du Randt & Kurt Z. Long & Ivan Müller & Madeleine Nienaber & Nicole Probst-Hensch & Peter Steinmann & Uwe Pühse & Jürg Utzinger & Siphesihle Nqw, 2022. "Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour, Weight Status, and Body Composition among South African Primary Schoolchildren," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.

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