Geographical Variation in Health-Related Physical Fitness and Body Composition among Chilean 8th Graders: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

PurposeIn addition to excess adiposity, low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and low musculoskeletal fitness (MSF) are important independent risk factors for future cardio-metabolic disease in adolescents, yet global fitness surveillance in adolescents is poor. The objective of this study was to describe and investigate geographical variation in levels of health-related physical fitness, including CRF, MSF, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) in Chilean 8th graders.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was based on a population-based, representative sample of 19,929 8th graders (median age = 14 years) in the 2011 National Physical Education Survey from Chile. CRF was assessed with the 20-meter shuttle run test, MSF with standing broad jump, and body composition with BMI and WC. Data were classified according to health-related standards. Prevalence of levels of health-related physical fitness was mapped for each of the four variables, and geographical variation was explored at the country level by region and in the Santiago Metropolitan Area by municipality.ResultsGirls had significantly higher prevalence of unhealthy CRF, MSF, and BMI than boys (p<0.05). Overall, 26% of boys and 55% of girls had unhealthy CRF, 29% of boys and 35% of girls had unhealthy MSF, 29% of boys and 44% of girls had unhealthy BMI, and 31% of adolescents had unhealthy WC. High prevalence of unhealthy fitness levels concentrates in the northern and middle regions of the country and in the North and Southwest sectors for the Santiago Metropolitan Area.ConclusionPrevalence of unhealthy CRF, MSF, and BMI is relatively high among Chilean 8th graders, especially in girls, when compared with global estimates. Identification of geographical regions and municipalities with high prevalence of unhealthy physical fitness presents opportunity for targeted intervention.

Normative reference values for the 20 m shuttle‐run test in a population‐based sample of school‐aged youth in Bogota, Colombia: the FUPRECOL study

“…This proportion is similar to that reported in a representative sample of 13‐ to 17‐year olds in Chile (Garber et al, 2014) and similar population‐based samples of schoolchildren in Argentina, the UK, Sweden, and Spain, but lower than those reported in the United States, Australia, and a Pan‐European sample (Supporting Information Files S4). The prevalence of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior among children and adolescents has increased in several countries in recent decades (Ortega, Ortega, Ruiz, Hurtig‐Wennlof, et al, 2008; Rey‐López, Vicente‐Rodríguez, Biosca, & Moreno, 2008; Sandercock & Ogunleye, 2013), and consequently it is possible that physical fitness values may also have changed (Craig, Shields, Leblanc, & Tremblay, 2012).…”

“…These findings have been replicated in clinical adult populations with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and several types of cancer (LaMonte & Blair, 2006). In light of this evidence, it is of great concern that in recent decades, CRF appears to have declined in children and adolescents worldwide (Catley & Tomkinson, 2013; Garber, Sajuria, & Lobelo, 2014). These trends have been observed against a background of increased, decreased, or stable body mass index (BMI) within the same populations (Olds, Tomkinson, Leger, & Cazorla, 2006).…”

The Relationship between Socioeconomic Status, Family Income, and Measures of Muscular and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Colombian Schoolchildren

“…13 In high-income countries, low SES is a recognized risk factor for childhood and adult obesity. In transitional countries, residents of high SES neighborhoods commonly adopt "Westernized lifestyles," 11,12 which can have negative as well as positive impacts on health through changes in physical activity, body composition, and fitness.…”

Evaluación de la autopercepción de la aptitud física y propuesta de normativas en adolescentes escolares chilenos: estudio EAPAF

“…27 Por lo tanto, el uso de esta referencia a nivel escolar es una necesidad urgente, puesto que, en Chile, se ha observado recientemente un alto porcentaje de adolescentes con un nivel de actividad física y condición física inferior a lo recomendable. 28 En este sentido, los instructores y/o profesores de Educación Física de los colegios podrían utilizar los percentilos como una herramienta fundamental para identificar a los adolescentes que presentan bajos niveles de autopercepción de la aptitud física. Consecuentemente, deben promover y estimular la práctica de actividad física para mejorar sus niveles de desempeño físico.…”