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Age- and Sex-Specific Physical Fitness Reference and Association with Body Mass Index in Hong Kong Chinese Schoolchildren.
Yip, Ka-Man; Wong, Sam W S; Chua, Gilbert T; So, Hung-Kwan; Ho, Frederick K; Wong, Rosa S; Tung, Keith T S; Chan, Elaine Y N; Tso, Winnie W Y; Chow, Bik-Chu; Fung, Genevieve P G; Wong, Wilfred H S; Ip, Patrick.
  • Yip KM; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Wong SWS; Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Chua GT; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • So HK; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Ho FK; Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
  • Wong RS; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Tung KTS; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Chan EYN; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Tso WWY; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Chow BC; Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Fung GPG; Department of Paediatrics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Wong WHS; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
  • Ip P; Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Int J Environ Res Public Health ; 19(22)2022 Nov 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2116268
ABSTRACT
There is lacking a population-based study on the fitness level of Hong Kong schoolchildren, and it seems that increasing childhood obesity prevalence has shifted the classification of healthy fitness, with 'underfit' as normal. This cross-sectional territory study aimed to develop an age- and sex-specific physical fitness reference using a representative sample of children aged 6-17 and to determine the associations with body mass index in schoolchildren. The study analyzed Hong Kong School Physical Fitness Award Scheme data covering grade 1 to grade 12 students' physical fitness and anthropometric measurements from 2017 to 2018. This reference was established without the impact due to COVID-19. Four aspects of physical fitness tests were measured using a standardized protocol, including (i) upper limb muscle strength, (ii) one-minute sit-up, (iii) sit-and-reach, and (iv) endurance run tests. The generalized additive model for location, scale, and shape was used to construct the reference charts. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the mean differences in age, weight, and height, and a Pearson's chi-square test was used to examine the distributions of sex groups. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare the group differences in BMI status, followed by the Dunn test for pairwise comparisons. A 5% level of significance was regarded as statistically significant. Data of 119,693 students before the COVID-19 pandemic were included in the analysis. The association between physical fitness level and BMI status varied depending on the test used, and there were significant differences in fitness test scores among BMI groups. The mean test scores of the obese group were lower in most of the tests for both boys and girls, except for handgrip strength. The underweight group outperformed the obese group in push-ups, one-minute sit-ups, and endurance run tests, but not in handgrip strength. In conclusion, a sex- and age-specific physical fitness reference value for Hong Kong Chinese children aged 6 to 17 years old is established, and this study demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between BMI status and physical fitness. The reference will help to identify children with poor physical fitness to offer support and guidance on exercise training. It also serves as a baseline for assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Hong Kong students' physical fitness.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pediatric Obesity / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Child / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ijerph192215346

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Pediatric Obesity / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adolescent / Child / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: Asia Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: Ijerph192215346