Levels of Physical Fitness and Weight Status in Children and Adolescents: A Comparison between China and Japan

Li, Yuqiang; Zhang, Feng; Qi, Chen; Yin, Xin; Bi, Chen; Yang, Xiaoguang; Sun, Yani; Li, Ming; Zhang, Ting; Liu, Yuan; Chen, Tao; Suzuki, Akira; S, Haneda

doi:10.3390/ijerph17249569

Cited by 6 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…In this study, children with normal weight had significantly better CRF than those with overweight or obese status, and the difference presented in early childhood since age 4. Our findings were consistent with those of previous studies (23)(24)(25); in addition, we included data measured directly from CPET of preschoolers aged 4-6 years. Childhood obesity is now recognized as a serious public health concern.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Many studies have proved that children or adolescents with obesity have lower CRF, which negatively affected the cardiovascular system (7,22). Studies from different countries and races have shown that the physical fitness of young people correlates negatively with increasing body fat mass (10,23,24). A higher body mass index (BMI) and increased percentage of fat mass had been proved to be negatively related with the CRF level in children and adolescents with normal weight or overweight status (7,25,26).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparison of Peak Oxygen Consumption During Exercise Testing Between Sexes Among Children and Adolescents in Taiwan

Tuan

Chen

et al. 2021

Front. Pediatr.

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Objective: Studies among Western children have observed that the peak oxygen consumption (peak V˙O2) of boys is higher than that of girls, and this difference increases as children progress through adolescence. However, the maturation process and social expectation toward Eastern boys and girls are much different from their Western counterparts. This study aimed to provide baseline information on cardiopulmonary fitness (CRF) of Taiwanese children and adolescents in relation to age and sex. We also evaluated the correlation between body mass and CRF and compared the CRF between non-obese and overweight/obese children.Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of children and adolescents aged 4–18 years in Taiwan. Participants were classified into four groups based on age (group 1, aged 4–6; group 2, aged 7–9; group 3, aged 10–13; and group 4, aged 14–18 years). All participants completed symptom-limited exercise test by treadmill and anthropometric measurements through bioelectrical impedance method.Results: In total, 897 (448 men, 449 women) participants were analyzed. Boys had higher peak V˙O2 (all p < 0.01) and peak metabolic equivalent (MET, all p < 0.05) than girls in all the four groups. Age significantly (P < 0.001) correlated with peak V˙O2 in all participants, boys, and girls, with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.9349, 0.9433, and 0.9085, respectively. The peak V˙O2 (all p < 0.001) of all the groups and peak MET (all p < 0.05) of group 2–4 associated with BMI and FMI modestly to moderately. Non-obese children had higher peak MET in group 1 (p = 0.049) and group 2–4 (all p < 0.001) than overweight/obese children significantly.Conclusions: The difference in peak V˙O2 and anthropometry–body composition between sexes was observed earlier in children in Taiwan than those in Western countries. Non-obese children had better CRF than overweight/obese children and the difference presented since preschool age.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Peak Oxygen Consumption During Exercise Testing Between Sexes Among Children and Adolescents in Taiwan

Tuan

Chen

et al. 2021

Front. Pediatr.

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“…The physical fitness index (PFI) can comprehensively reflect the development level of physical fitness of children and adolescents to a certain extent and has been applied and recognized in many studies [ 41 , 42 ]. The scores of the 7 physical fitness test indicators were standardized into groups according to gender and age, and the Z score was calculated: Z score = (measured value of each physical fitness indicator − average value of each physical fitness indicator in each group)/standard deviation of each physical fitness index in each group.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association between Physical Fitness Index and Psychological Symptoms in Chinese Children and Adolescents

Sun

Zhou

et al. 2022

Children

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The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between different physical fitness indices (PFIs) and psychological symptoms and each dimension (emotional symptoms, behavioral symptoms, social adaptation difficulties) of Chinese children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 7199 children and adolescents aged 13–18 in Jiangxi Province, China, were tested for grip strength, standing long jump, sit-ups, sit and reach, repeated straddling, 50 m run, 20 m shuttle run test (20 m SRT) items. The physical fitness indicators were standardized, converted to Z score and added up to obtain the PFI, and the self-assessment of the psychological section of the multidimensional sub-health questionnaire of adolescents (MSQA) to test the psychological symptoms, using the chi-square test to determine the psychological symptoms of different types of children and adolescents and binary logistic regression analysis to determine the association between psychological symptoms and different PFI grades. Results: The higher the PFI of Chinese children and adolescents, the lower the detection rate of psychological symptoms, emotional symptoms and social adaptation difficulties, from 25.0% to 18.4%, 31.3% to 25.7% and 20.1% to 14.4%, respectively. These results were statistically significant (χ2 = 14.073, 9.332, 12.183, p < 0.05). Taking the high-grade PFI as a reference, binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Generally, compared with the high-grade PFI, children and adolescents with a low-grade PFI (OR = 1.476, 95% CI: 1.200–1.814) or medium-grade PFI (OR = 1.195, 95% CI: 1.010–1.413) had a higher risk of psychological symptoms (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The lower the PFI of Chinese children and adolescents, the higher the detection rate of psychological symptoms, showing a negative correlation. In the future, measures should be taken to improve the physical fitness level of children and adolescents in order to reduce the incidence of psychological symptoms and promote the healthy development of children and adolescents.

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“…A previous study outlined that cultural factors may significantly affect the FMS-correlates in the context among Asian-speaking and English-European children aged 9 to 11 years [ 20 ], while the difference is mainly reflected by object control competence. Studies also found that cultural background may also influence the correlates of fitness levels between two Asian countries [ 21 ], and motor competence between two neighboring countries situated within the same continent [ 22 ]. Hence, it is necessary to focus on cross-country comparisons when adopting assessment tools, wherein the possible differences in children’s PL may provide a better understanding of different cultural backgrounds for PL development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring physical literacy in children aged 8 to 12 years old: a cross-cultural comparison between China and Greece

Kaioglou

et al. 2022

BMC Public Health

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Background The concept of physical literacy (PL) has been advocated as a crucial determinant for increasing the quality and quantity of movement and physical activity (PA). Children’s PL has been rarely compared across countries, although it has shown low levels in many countries. This study aimed to explore and compare children’s PL from China and Greece. Methods A total of 327 Chinese (47.1% boys) and 295 Greek children (48.1% boys) aged 8 to 12 years participated in this study. Children’s PL was objectively assessed by the Chinese and Greek version of the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy, 2nd edition, which consists of four domains: Daily Behavior, Physical Competence, Motivation and Confidence, and Knowledge. and Understanding. Univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) on total PL and domain scores were conducted in both countries, respectively. Results MANOVA revealed significant differences in total PL and distribution scores between two countries (Pillais’ trace = 0.260, F = 53.855, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.260), with Greek children scoring better than Chinese. Nevertheless, most children failed to present an adequate PL level as they were mostly in the “progressing” stage. The chi-square denoted that the distribution of Chinese and Greek participants across the CAPL-2 interpretive categories was statistically different for total PL (χ2 [3] = 18.726, p < 0.001, Cramer’s V = 0.174), with more Greek children being classified as “achieving” and “excelling”. Conclusions The variance between Chinese and Greek children may be attributed to cultural differences in the context of PA, such as PE policies and settings. The relatively low level of PL shown in both countries echoes the global trend of the declining PA among children, with an increasing amount of their time spent in a sedentary lifestyle. These findings highlight the need to consider children’s cultural factors and pedagogical strategies in terms of developing their PL. Future research is required to explore the impact of cultural background on PL development among children and appropriate strategies to migrate their influence.

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Levels of Physical Fitness and Weight Status in Children and Adolescents: A Comparison between China and Japan

Cited by 6 publications

References 27 publications

Comparison of Peak Oxygen Consumption During Exercise Testing Between Sexes Among Children and Adolescents in Taiwan

Comparison of Peak Oxygen Consumption During Exercise Testing Between Sexes Among Children and Adolescents in Taiwan

Association between Physical Fitness Index and Psychological Symptoms in Chinese Children and Adolescents

Exploring physical literacy in children aged 8 to 12 years old: a cross-cultural comparison between China and Greece

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