Original scientific paper

Three-year evolution of physical fitness and bmi in schoolchildren aged 12-16 years with extreme bmi

Min-Chen Wu ; Department of Physical Education, Chung Yung Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
Che-Hung Lin ; Department of Physical Education, Ministry of Education, Taiwan
Shu-Man Chen ; Committee for General Studies, Shih Hsin University, Taipei, Taiwan
Chun-Chuan Wang ; Department of Physical Education, Ministry of Education, Taiwan
City C. Hsieh ; Department of Physical Education, National Hsinchu University of Education, Hsinchu, Taiwan
Michael Chia ; National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Chia-Hua Kuo ; Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry, Taipei Physical Education College, Taiwan

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate a three-year development in BMI and physical fitness of schoolchildren aged 12-16 years with extreme weight status. Taiwan Physical Fitness Test Battery, assessing
aerobic fitness (1600-meter walk/run test), power (standing long jump), muscular endurance (sit-up), and flexibility (sit-and-reach) in 16,945 boys, was implemented in September from the year 2006 till 2008. Overweight and underweight were defined by the baseline BMI data values that fall within the highest and lowest 5% of their age population, whereas the BMI data values that fall within one standard deviation of the mean was considered “normal” in this study. The results showed that BMI of schoolchildren in 2006 was ~2–3 kg/m2 above the national average reported in 1993. All physical fitness components in the overweight group were substantially poorer than those in the normal group. Yet, these fitness parameters were improved
over the three years in all groups. BMI in the underweight group increased at a faster rate than that in the normal and overweight groups. No difference was found in the jumping distance between the underweight and normal groups. Aerobic fitness in the underweight group was superior but flexibility and muscular endurance were slightly lower than those in the normal group. BMI of Taiwan schoolchildren increased substantially from 1993 to 2006 but leveled off from 2006 to 2008. Underweight schoolchildren during the growing period should not a priori be considered as physically weaker or unfit individuals.

Keywords

BMI; underweight; pediatric; childhood obesity; physical activity

Hrčak ID:

83590

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/83590

Publication date:

30.6.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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