Abstract
Background
Low levels of physical fitness are associated with metabolic disorders in adults. However, this relationship has been little explored in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is an association between physical fitness related to health and the presence of metabolic risk in schoolchildren.
Methods
The sample for this cross-sectional study was composed of 1251 schoolchildren of both genders between 7 and 17 years of age. Three indicators of physical fitness related to health were evaluated: cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), flexibility and abdominal resistance. The continuous metabolic syndrome score (cMetS) was calculated by using the sum of the Z scores of the following indicators: body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, glucose, total cholesterol, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c and LDL-c) and triglycerides. Subsequently, the cMetS was dichotomized, considering the presence or absence of metabolic risk. The data were analyzed using prevalence ratio (PR) values and 95% confidence intervals (CI), using Poisson regression.
Results
A higher prevalence of metabolic risk was found among students with low levels of CRF (PR: 1.48; CI: 1.10–1.98) and abdominal resistance (PR: 1.45; CI: 1.08–1.95). No association with flexibility was found.
Conclusions
Low levels of CRF and abdominal resistance are associated with the presence of metabolic risk in schoolchildren.
Acknowledgment
We are grateful for the contribution of Professor Miria Suzana Burgos (in memoriam) in this study and for all her dedication and coordination of “Schoolchildren’s Health” research.
Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: None declared.
Employment or leadership: None declared.
Honorarium: None declared.
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