Nutritional status, biological maturation and cardiorespiratory fitness in Azorean youth aged 11–15 years

Date
2013-05-22
Authors
Coelho-e-Silva, Manuel J.
Vas Ronque, Enio R.
Cyrino, Edilson S.
Fernandes, Romulo A.
Valente-dos-Santos, Joao
Machado-Rodrigues, Aristides
Matins, Raul
Figueiredo, Antonio J.
Santos, Rute
Malina, Robert M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Public Health
Abstract

Background: Sex and individual differences in biological maturity status can influence height, weight, and body fat. Thus, the rigorous control of these variables seems necessary for estimating overweight and obesity in adolescents. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and over-fatness in Azorean adolescents and to examine the contributions of chronological age, sex, estimated maturity status, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) to the risk of overweight and obesity and over-fatness. Methods: The sample comprised 1,206 youth aged 11–15 years (626 boys and 580 girls) from the Azores Islands, Portugal. Body mass, stature, and skinfolds (triceps and subscapular) were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and percent fat was predicted from skinfolds. Age- and sex-specific IOTF cut-off values of the BMI defined nutritional status. Biological maturation was estimated as present height expressed as a percentage of predicted adult (mature) stature. The CRF was analyzed from the 20-m shuttle run test. Results: The total prevalence rates of overweight/obesity and over-fatness were of 31% and 27%, respectively. Low CRF (unfit) and being average and advanced in maturity status were positively and significantly associated with overweight/obesity and with risk of being over-fatness in both sexes. Conclusions: High prevalence rates of overweight/obesity and over-fatness were identified in Azorean youth, and low CRF and advanced biological maturation were positively associated with overweight/obesity and over-fatness in our sample of adolescents.

Description
Manuel J Coelho-e-Silva, João Valente-dos-Santos, Aristides Machado-Rodrigues, Raul Martins and, António J Figueiredo are with the University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal -- Enio R Vaz Ronque and Edilson S Cyrino are with the UEL, Londrina State University, Londrina, Brazil -- Rômulo A Fernandes is with the Department of Physical Education, UNESP – Univ Estadual Paulista (Sao Paulo State University), Sao Paulo, Brazil -- Rute Santos is with the Maia Institute of Higher Education (CIDAF), Maia, Portugal and the Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal -- Robert M Malina is Professor Emeritus with the Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, USA and a Research Professor, Department of Health and Physical Education, Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas, USA -- Manuel J Coelho-e-Silva is with the Faculdade de Ciências do Desporto e Educação Física da Universidade de Coimbra, Estádio Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, 3040-156, Portugal
Citation
Coelho-e-Silva, Manuel J., Enio R. Vaz Ronque, Edilson S. Cyrino, Rômulo A. Fernandes, João Valente-dos-Santos, Aristides Machado-Rodrigues, Raul Martins, António J. Figueiredo, Rute Santos, and Robert M. Malina. “Nutritional Status, Biological Maturation and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Azorean Youth Aged 11–15 Years.” BMC Public Health 13, no. 1 (May 22, 2013): 495. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-495.