Physical Activity, Body Mass Index, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness among School Children in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

There is evidence that cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity significantly reduce cardiovascular risks in adults. A better understanding of the association between cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and childhood obesity is vital in assessing the benefits of interventions to prevent obesity. This study was to examine the relationship between physical activity, body mass index, and cardiorespiratory fitness levels in Taiwanese children. A cross-sectional study was designed. Study participants consisted of 2419 school children (1230 males and 1189 females) aged 12 years old living in a southern Taiwan county with one the highest countrywide rates of childhood obesity. The weight status of the participants was defined as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese according to specific criteria. Cardiorespiratory fitness was then assessed by an 800-m run. Participants were queried on their physical activity habits via a questionnaire survey. The overall prevalence of overweight/obesity was 29.6%. Normal, underweight and overweight boys and girls had an increased odds ratio of being categorized with higher cardiorespiratory fitness than obese one for both gender. A significantly higher level of cardiorespiratory fitness was found in children who engaged in regular physical activity than in children who engaged only in irregular physical activity. Obese children are more likely to lack cardiorespiratory fitness. Physically active children have significantly better cardiorespiratory fitness levels than inactive children. This study supports the conclusion that BMI and physical activity are significantly correlated with cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Findings may provide educational professionals with information to assist their developing effective health promotion programs to healthy weight and improving cardiorespiratory fitness for children.

Influencing Factors of the Body Mass Index of Elementary Students in Southern Taiwan

“…The results of this study demonstrated that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children of both sexes (boys: 36.3%; girls: 25.5%) from the southern county of Taiwan was high than the prevalence of these conditions reported among a similar group of school children (boys: 34.0%; girls: 25.0%) in 2011 [19] and significant higher than that found in the national survey in Taiwan 2012 (boys: 31.70%; girls: 25.1%) [20]. Given the combined high prevalence of overweight and obesity among southern Taiwanese youth, especially boys, we thus argue that this problem requires immediate health promotion intervention.…”

Bajos niveles de rendimiento físico, VO2MAX y elevada prevalencia de obesidad en escolares de 9 a 14 años de edad

“…Inclusive, existe evidencia científica de que la obesidad en la etapa preescolar estuvo asociada con un pobre desempeño físico (26). En el presente estudio el VO2 MAX fue menor en los sujetos con obesidad en comparación con los otros grupos de estudio, similar a los hallazgos encontrados en niños obesos, los cuales eran más propensos a carecer de una aptitud cardiorrespiratoria adecuada medida a través de un test de carrera de 800 metros (27). Una disminución de la capacidad residual funcional fue la anormalidad más común en la función pulmonar reportada en un estudio desarrollado en niños y adolescentes obesos (28).…”

Indicadores De Atividade Física E Sedentarismo Associados Ao Sobrepeso/Obesidade Em Escolares

“…17 Resultados similares foram encontrados em Taiwan, onde crianças fisicamente mais ativas possuem melhores níveis de aptidão cardiorrespiratória (29,6%). 18 A tabela 2 demonstra os fatores associados ao sobrepeso/obesidade, de acordo com o sexo. Observa-se que o deslocamento motorizado para a escola esteve associado ao sobrepeso/obesidade, tanto nos meninos (RP: 1,30; p<0,001), quanto nas meninas (RP: 1,16; p=0,021).…”