Variation in physical fitness between ethnic groups in nine year olds

Bettiol, Heloísa; Rona, Roberto; Chinn, Susan

doi:10.1093/ije/28.2.281

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…It has also been reported that overweight as well as obese children showed a lower physical fitness than normal children. 19,[26][27][28] In one study, the negative relationship between physical fitness and WC has also been documented. 19 The results of the present study are concordant with these observations since physical fitness was significantly associated with BMI of boys and girls in grades 2 and 4.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The association between low physical fitness and high body mass index or waist circumference is increasing with age in children: the ‘Québec en Forme’ Project

2006

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Objective: To evaluate physical fitness and body composition of children involved in the 'Québec en Forme' (QEF) Project and to compare data obtained to the reference values of the 1981 Canada Fitness Survey (CFS). Design: Cross-sectional study. Subjects: A total of 1140 children (591 boys and 549 girls) of first (7 years), second (8 years) and fourth (10 years) grade from primary schools in the City of Trois-Rivières (Québec) were selected to participate in this study. Measurements: Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured. The physical fitness tests included standing long jump, 1-min speed sit-ups and speed shuttle run. Results: The prevalence of overweight in children ranged between 20 and 30%, which represents a substantial increase compared to the 1981 CFS. The relationship between BMI and WC was highly significant in boys and girls (r ¼ 0.90 and 0.86, respectively, Po0.0001). The negative correlations between BMI or WC and the performance in all physical fitness tests were mostly significant in children of both genders (À0.16prpÀ0.45, at least Po0.05), and these relationships were significantly greater in older children (Po0.05). Based on the 1981 CFS, only 4.7-14.1% of QEF boys still performed in the upper quartile of the distribution (fit boys), whereas 32.1-69% performed not much higher than the lower quartile (unfit boys) for each fitness test. In girls, the relative fitness decrease observed in 2003 was more pronounced since only 1-9.9% of subjects performed in the upper quartile of the distribution compared to 42.8-81.4% who did not perform higher than the lower quartile of the 1981 reference scores of the CFS. Conclusion: This study shows that BMI and WC are negatively correlated with physical fitness and that these associations are more pronounced in older children. Furthermore, physical fitness of our cohort, especially in girls, was much lower than what was documented in the 1981 CFS in subjects of the same age. This study thus emphasizes the necessity to develop early interventions to improve physical fitness in children and to prevent the increase of childhood obesity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The association between low physical fitness and high body mass index or waist circumference is increasing with age in children: the ‘Québec en Forme’ Project

2006

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“…However, South Asians living in the UK have consistently been shown to have lower levels of physical activity than the general population [8], [9], a trend which begins in early life [10], [11], and is likely to be an important contributor to this increased incidence and poor health outcomes. Recent UK research has shown that deaths from coronary heart disease are substantially more common in people from South Asian backgrounds than those of White origins,(hazard ratio: 2.87, 95%CI 1.74 to 4.73) with this increased risk being particularly evident in Bangladeshi- and Pakistani-origin populations [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Activity in South Asians: An In-Depth Qualitative Study to Explore Motivations and Facilitators

et al. 2012

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BackgroundPeople of South Asian backgrounds living in the UK have a five-fold increased risk of diabetes and a two-fold increased risk of heart disease when compared to the general population. Physical activity can reduce the risk of premature death from a range of conditions. The aim of the study was to explore the motivating and facilitating factors likely to increase physical activity for South Asian adults and their families, in order to develop successful interventions and services.Methodology/Principal FindingsThis was a qualitative study using focus groups and in-depth interviews. Participants were 59 purposively selected Bangladeshi-, Indian- and Pakistani-origin men and women with an additional 10 key informants. The setting was three urban areas of Scotland: Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We undertook a theoretically informed thematic analysis of data. Study participants described engaging in a range of physical activities, particularly football and the gym for men, and walking and swimming for women. The main motivators for taking part in physical activity were external motivators – i.e. undertaking physical activity as a means to an end, which included the opportunities that physical activity provided for social activity and enjoyment. The goals of weight reduction and improving mental and physical health and were also mentioned. Role models were seen as important to inspire and motivate people to undertake activities that they may otherwise lack confidence in. Few people undertook physical activity for its own sake (intrinsic motivation).Conclusions/SignificanceAttempts at promoting physical activity in people of South Asian origin need to take account of the social context of people's lives and the external motivators that encourage them to engage in physical activity. Undertaking group based physical activity is important and can be facilitated through religious, community, friendship or family networks. Role models may also prove particularly helpful.

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“…The 2004 Health Survey for England data reported lower levels of physical activity in South Asian groups compared with the general UK population and other ethnic minority groups (77), and other studies showed similar results in migrant and urban South Asians (6,15,82,83,84,85,86,87). This low level of physical activity is already present in children and adolescents (77,85,88,89,90,91).…”

Section: Diet and Exercisementioning

confidence: 87%

MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in South Asians

Bakker

Sleddering

Schoones

et al. 2013

European Journal of Endocrinology

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The risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is exceptionally high among both native and migrant South Asians. T2DM occurs more often and at a younger age and lower BMI, and the risk of coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease, and renal complications is higher for South Asians compared with people of White Caucasian descent. The high prevalence of T2DM and its related complications in South Asians, which comprise one-fifth of the total world's population, poses a major health and socioeconomic burden. The underlying cause of this excess risk, however, is still not completely understood. Therefore, gaining insight into the pathogenesis of T2DM in South Asians is of great importance. The predominant mechanism, in this ethnicity seems to be insulin resistance (IR) rather than an impaired b-cell function. In this systematic review, we describe several possible mechanisms that may underlie or contribute to the increased IR observed in South Asians.

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Variation in physical fitness between ethnic groups in nine year olds

Cited by 18 publications

References 25 publications

The association between low physical fitness and high body mass index or waist circumference is increasing with age in children: the ‘Québec en Forme’ Project

The association between low physical fitness and high body mass index or waist circumference is increasing with age in children: the ‘Québec en Forme’ Project

Physical Activity in South Asians: An In-Depth Qualitative Study to Explore Motivations and Facilitators

MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: Pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes in South Asians

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