Physical fitness and parent-reported health status and leisure time activity of Polish boys and girls with abdominal and peripheral obesity

Abstract

The study explores the physical fitness as well as the parent-reported leisure time activity and health status of children and youth aged 10-19 years with abdominal and peripheral obesity. The 2009 study involved 2,606 boys and girls from Eastern Poland. We calculated BMI and WHtR, based on which the participants were subdivided into groups with normal BMI, abdominal obesity, and peripheral obesity. Physical fitness was assessed using the Eurofit battery. Data regarding the subjects’ leisure time activity and health status were collected from their parents in a survey. The statistical significance of the differences observed was assessed using Student’s t-test (quantitative variables), the Kruskal-Wallis test (qualitative variables), and logistic regression. Boys and girls with abdominal and peripheral obesity achieved better results than those with normal BMI for arm strength, balance, and the 10 x 5 m shuttle run; similar observations were additionally made regarding girls for the tapping and sit-and-reach tests. However, obese subjects had lower results than non-obese peers in broad jump, sit-ups, and arm hang. No significant differences in physical fitness were found between groups with abdominal and peripheral obesity. The participants whose health status was evaluated the most poorly by parents were boys with abdominal obesity. Obese subjects participated in extracurricular sports activities less often than their normalweight counterparts. No relationship was found between obesity type and physical fitness. The analysis of leisure time activity revealed differences between the groups analysed only with respect to their participation in extracurricular sports activity.