Physical fitness and nutritional anthropometric status of children from disadvantaged communities in the Nelson Mandela Bay region

• Published in: South African journal of sports medicine Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Smith, D, Adams, L, du Randt, R, Degen, J, Gall, S, Joubert, N, Müller, I, Nqweniso, S, Pühse, U, Steinmann, P, Utzinger, J, Walter, C, Gerber, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South African Sports Medicine Association 2020
• Subjects: Anthropometry; Lower socio-economic status; Original Research; Physical fitness; Primary schoolchildren; South Africa
• ISSN: 1015-5163; 2078-516X
• DOI: 10.17159/2078-516X/2020/v32i1a8158

Background: Information about the relationships between physical fitness, body composition and nutrition has increased in recent years; however, little is known about physical fitness and the coexistence of under-/overnutrition among children living in disadvantaged areas. Objectives: To determine the physical fitness status and its association with body composition, growth and selected sociodemographics in primary schoolchildren from disadvantaged communities in the Nelson Mandela Bay region. Methods: Nine hundred and sixty-five children (49% girls, M=9.5 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. Height and weight were measured to establish body mass index, and height-for-age z-scores. Physical fitness was assessed using tests from the Eurofit Physical Fitness test battery (flexibility, upper/lower body muscular strength and cardiorespiratory fitness). Between-group differences and cross-sectional associations were examined with univariate (Chi2-tests, analyses of variance) and multivariate methods (mixed linear/logistic regression). Results: Most children had normal weight (76.7%), while 4.5% were underweight and 18.7% were overweight/obese. Underweight children and children with stunted growth (11.5%) had lower average upper body strength (p<0.001). Overweight/obese children had lower scores in weight-bearing activities (p<0.001). Children with higher socio-economic status were more likely to be overweight and obese (p<0.001). In the multivariate analyses, sex, age, body mass index, and stunting were associated with children's physical fitness. Conclusion: Fitness assessments seem to be a relevant measure of the current health status of children in disadvantaged settings. Compared to international norms, the children in this study had relatively low scores for both upper- and lower body muscular strength. Therefore, effective school-based intervention programmes should be developed to improve children's physical fitness in disadvantaged schools.