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Determinant factors of physical fitness in European children

Author

Listed:
  • Mahmoud Zaqout

    (Ghent University)

  • Krishna Vyncke

    (Ghent University)

  • Luis A. Moreno

    (Universidad de Zaragoza)

  • Pilar Miguel-Etayo

    (Universidad de Zaragoza)

  • Fabio Lauria

    (Institute of Food Sciences-CNR)

  • Denes Molnar

    (University of Pécs)

  • Lauren Lissner

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Monica Hunsberger

    (University of Gothenburg)

  • Toomas Veidebaum

    (National Institute for Health Development)

  • Michael Tornaritis

    (Research and Education Institute of Child Health)

  • Lucia A. Reisch

    (Copenhagen Business School)

  • Karin Bammann

    (University of Bremen
    Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology BIPS)

  • Ole Sprengeler

    (Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology BIPS)

  • Wolfgang Ahrens

    (Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology BIPS)

  • Nathalie Michels

    (Ghent University)

Abstract

Objectives This study was designed to explore the determinants of physical fitness in European children aged 6–11 years, cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Methods There were sufficient data on 4903 children (50.6 % girls) on measured physical fitness (cardio-respiratory, muscular strength, flexibility, balance, and speed) and possible determinants related to child characteristics, child lifestyle and parental factors. Multivariate and mixed linear regression models were conducted. Results Age, sex, children’s BMI and physical activity were independent and strong determinants of children’s fitness. Significant but small effects were found for low maternal BMI, high psychosocial well-being and fruit and vegetable intake as protective determinants. Sleep duration, breakfast intake, parental age and education and paternal BMI did not have a consistently significant effect on physical fitness. The role of determinants depended on children’s sex and the specific PF component. Longitudinal analyses especially highlighted the importance of child’s BMI as physical fitness determinant, independent of physical activity. Conclusions BMI together with physical activity, diet and psychosocial factors are modifiable targets to enhance physical fitness. This calls for policy approaches that combine these factors in a systematic way.

Suggested Citation

  • Mahmoud Zaqout & Krishna Vyncke & Luis A. Moreno & Pilar Miguel-Etayo & Fabio Lauria & Denes Molnar & Lauren Lissner & Monica Hunsberger & Toomas Veidebaum & Michael Tornaritis & Lucia A. Reisch & Kar, 2016. "Determinant factors of physical fitness in European children," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(5), pages 573-582, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:61:y:2016:i:5:d:10.1007_s00038-016-0811-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-016-0811-2
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Melissa Parnell & Lawrence Foweather & Greg Whyte & John Dickinson & Ivan Gee, 2021. "Associations between Second-Hand Tobacco Smoke Exposure and Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Activity, and Respiratory Health in Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-23, October.
    2. Francesco Sanmarchi & Alice Masini & Carolina Poli & Anna Kawalec & Francesco Esposito & Susan Scrimaglia & Lawrence M. Scheier & Laura Dallolio & Rossella Sacchetti, 2023. "Cross-Sectional Analysis of Family Factors Associated with Lifestyle Habits in a Sample of Italian Primary School Children: The I-MOVE Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Aleksandra Kowaluk & Marek Woźniewski, 2020. "Peak Oxygen Uptake and Exercise Capacity of Children Undergoing Leukemia Treatment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-19, November.
    4. Sarah L. Taylor & Robert J. Noonan & Zoe R. Knowles & Michael B. Owen & Bronagh McGrane & Whitney B. Curry & Stuart J. Fairclough, 2018. "Evaluation of a Pilot School-Based Physical Activity Clustered Randomised Controlled Trial—Active Schools: Skelmersdale," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-18, May.
    5. Yunxi Tian & Lingfang Liu & Xuhui Wang & Xue Zhang & Yang Zhai & Kai Wang & Jianjun Liu, 2021. "Urban-Rural Differences in Physical Fitness and Out-of-School Physical Activity for Primary School Students: A County-Level Comparison in Western China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-17, October.
    6. Pouya Saeedi & Amin Shavandi & Paula M.L. Skidmore, 2019. "What Do We Know about Diet and Markers of Cardiovascular Health in Children: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-22, February.
    7. Naoko Hatta & Yuki Tada & Kazuko Ishikawa-Takata & Tadasu Furusho & Rieko Kanehara & Toshiki Hata & Azumi Hida & Yukari Kawano, 2022. "Energy Intake from Healthy Foods Is Associated with Motor Fitness in Addition to Physical Activity: A Cross-Sectional Study of First-Grade Schoolchildren in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-12, February.
    8. Gerhard Ruedl & Martin Niedermeier & Lukas Wimmer & Vivien Ploner & Elena Pocecco & Armando Cocca & Klaus Greier, 2021. "Impact of Parental Education and Physical Activity on the Long-Term Development of the Physical Fitness of Primary School Children: An Observational Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-13, August.
    9. Bin Tian & Bin Meng & Juan Wang & Guoqing Zhi & Zhenyu Qi & Siyu Chen & Jian Liu, 2022. "Spatio-Temporal Patterns of Fitness Behavior in Beijing Based on Social Media Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, March.
    10. Cunjian Bi & Feng Zhang & Yang Gu & Yi Song & Xiaodi Cai, 2020. "Secular Trend in the Physical Fitness of Xinjiang Children and Adolescents between 1985 and 2014," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-14, March.
    11. José Francisco López-Gil & Antonio García-Hermoso & Javier Brazo-Sayavera & Pedro Juan Tárraga López & Juan Luis Yuste Lucas, 2021. "Cardiorespiratory Fitness as Mediator of the Relationship of Recreational Screen Time on Mediterranean Diet Score in Schoolchildren," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-11, April.

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