Adiposity, physical activity, and physical fitness among children from Aragón, Spain.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between physical activity (PA) levels and adiposity. The secondary purpose was to assess the effect of physical fitness and living area on adiposity.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a regional representative sample of 1068 children 7 to 12 years of age. Anthropometric and physical fitness values (including BMI, aerobic capacity, strength levels, velocity assessment, and flexibility) were measured in all children.

RESULTS: The prevalence of being overweight and obese in the entire sample was 31% and 6%, respectively. No difference between urban and rural children was found. The proportion of boys who were classified as overweight and obese was similar in physically active and sedentary (non-physically active) groups. However, physically active girls tended to show lower obesity prevalence compared with their sedentary counterparts (p = 0.06). In girls, the sum of the 6 skinfolds thickness (SSF) measurements was lower in the physically active group when compared with the non-physically active group (p < 0.05); however, this effect was not observed in boys. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the level of physical activity (PA) had a significant effect on BMI and SSF in boys but not in girls, while maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was significantly related to adiposity in both sexes.

DISCUSSION: Regular participation in at least 2 hours per week of sports activities on top of the compulsory education program is associated with better physical fitness and lower whole body adiposity. In the children included in our study, among all physical fitness variables, VO2max showed the strongest relationship with BMI and fat mass assessed by means of skinfold measurements.