Physical activity, fitness and overweight in children and adolescents: the Madeira Growth Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the physical activity level and fitness among overweight and non-overweight children and adolescents. The sample included 507 subjects who participated in the Madeira Growth Study, a mixed longitudinal study with five cohorts followed at annual intervals for three consecutive years. A total of 1505 subjects, 761 boys and 744 girls, 7-18 year-olds, was used in a cross-sectional analysis of the data. Somatic characteristics include stature and body weight. Physical activity was estimated by means of a questionnaire and an interview. Physical fitness was measured with the Eurofit test battery. Body mass index was used as an overweight indicator. The sample was divided into two overweight categories: overweight (including overweight and obese children and adolescents) and non-overweight (remaining part of the sample) using the cut-off scores proposed by Cole et al. (2000). Mean differences between the overweight categories were tested with a two-sample t-test. Physical activity as sport and leisure time indexes was not associated to overweight status of children and adolescents. Sports practice was higher in non-overweight boys. Non-overweight boys and girls obtained better results for flamingo balance, standing broad jump, sit ups, flexed arm hang, shuttle run and 12 minute run/walk. Overweight girls were stronger (handgrip) than non-overweight girls. A weak relationship was demonstrated for physical activity whereas for physical fitness a strong inverse association with overweight status was found.