ABSTRACT
Two parameters, tricep skinfold and one-mile walk/run, from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance health-related fitness test were assessed in 226 low-income children, ages 10 through 14 years. Group means by age and sex were compared with state and national norms. As a whole, on both fitness parameters, this low-income sample fell in the bottom quartile for the state of Maine. The group's national ranking was even lower. Not only are low-income families burdened financially, it appears from this study that the children are also at health risk.
Subject(s)
Health Behavior , Adolescent , Child , Child Welfare , Female , Humans , Maine , Male , Skinfold Thickness , Socioeconomic Factors , United StatesABSTRACT
National health goals include an increase in the physical activity and physical fitness of school-age children by the year 2000. To assess current fitness levels in the state of Maine, more than 8,000 public school students, ages five through nine, were assessed using a nationally known (American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) health-related physical fitness test. Maine students were then compared with a national norm group on (1) the one-mile walk/run (minutes:seconds), (2) skinfold thickness (centimeters), (3) one-minute timed sit-ups (number performed correctly), and (4) the sit and reach test for flexibility (centimeters). Generally, Maine boys and girls scored higher than the norms on the sit-up, sit and reach, and one-mile walk/run; however, they had significantly larger skinfold thicknesses. Implications for assessment of health-related fitness in this age group were discussed.