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The Impact of Obesity on the Fitness Performance of School-Aged Children Living in Rural Areas—The West Attica Project

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  • Charilaos Tsolakis

    (1st Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
    Sports Performance Laboratory, School of Physical Education & Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17237 Athens, Greece)

  • Evgenia D. Cherouveim

    (1st Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
    School of Physical Education & Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17237 Athens, Greece)

  • Apostolos Zacharias Skouras

    (1st Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece)

  • Dimitrios Antonakis-Karamintzas

    (1st Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece)

  • Cara Czvekus

    (Health Science, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA)

  • Panagiotis Halvatsiotis

    (2nd Department of Internal Medicine Propaedeutic “Attikon” University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece)

  • Olga Savvidou

    (1st Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece)

  • Panagiotis Koulouvaris

    (1st Department of Orthopedics Surgery, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship of body mass index (BMI) with muscle and cardiorespiratory fitness in children living within rural areas (regional unit of West Attica) in Greece. Participants included 399 students (187 boys, 212 girls), ages 8–12 years old, and were evaluated in physical performance tests. The point prevalence of overweight and obesity was 21.39% and 26.20% in boys, and 19.90% and 23.79% in girls. Significant differences were observed in all physical performance tests (handgrip, long jump, shuttle run, trunk flexors, and extensors endurance) between normal weight and obese participants. BMI was positively correlated with handgrip (r = 0.442−0.462, p < 0.001). There was a negative association with long jump (r = −0.206, p < 0.001), 20 m shuttle run (r = −0.394, p < 0.001), trunk flexors (r = −0.403, p < 0.001) and trunk extensors endurance (r = −0.280, p < 0.001). The regression analysis showed that 20–30% of the overall variation for physical performance assessments could be accounted for by BMI, age, and sex. With the exception of the long jump and the endurance of the trunk extensors, BMI alone may explain more than 10% of the outcome of most tests. This study highlights the determinant of BMI on muscle and cardiorespiratory fitness. The management of obesity should begin early in childhood to prevent adult chronic cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Suggested Citation

  • Charilaos Tsolakis & Evgenia D. Cherouveim & Apostolos Zacharias Skouras & Dimitrios Antonakis-Karamintzas & Cara Czvekus & Panagiotis Halvatsiotis & Olga Savvidou & Panagiotis Koulouvaris, 2022. "The Impact of Obesity on the Fitness Performance of School-Aged Children Living in Rural Areas—The West Attica Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11476-:d:912926
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Makama Andries Monyeki & Adedapo Awotidebe & Gert L. Strydom & J. Hans De Ridder & Ramoteme Lesly Mamabolo & Han C. G. Kemper, 2015. "The Challenges of Underweight and Overweight in South African Children: Are We Winning or Losing the Battle? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, January.
    2. Evi Verbecque & Dané Coetzee & Gillian Ferguson & Bouwien Smits-Engelsman, 2021. "High BMI and Low Muscular Fitness Predict Low Motor Competence in School-Aged Children Living in Low-Resourced Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Anetta Müller & Zsuzsa Nagy & Sándor Kovács & Szilvia Szőke & Elena Bendíková & Gergely Ráthonyi & Kinga Ráthonyi-Ódor & György Szabados & Zoltán Gabnai & Éva Bácsné Bába, 2022. "Correlations between Physical Fitness and Body Composition among Boys Aged 14–18—Conclusions of a Case Study to Reverse the Worsening Secular Trend in Fitness among Urban Youth Due to Sedentary Lifest," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
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