Evaluation of Physical Fitness in Terms of Levels of Obesity among Middle and High School Students in Seoul

Park, Mi Jung; Suh, Sang Hoon

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The prevalence of obesity in Korean youth has increased substantially during the last decade as a result of change in eating behaviors and lifestyles which favor calorie accumulation. Although there has been a rising concern about its negative influences on health and fitness, investigations on the relationship between obesity and fitness level of Korean youth are rare. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess physical fitness levels of Korean youth in terms of the obesity indices.
METHODS
A cross-sectional analysis for determining obesity index and fitness level was conducted among 2,385 healthy schoolers in Seoul (1,034 7th graders, 1,351 10th graders; 1,538 boys, 847 girls). The subjects were categorized for the study as either underweight, normal, mildly obese, moderately obese, or severely obese depending on whether they were either under 80%, between 80~120%, 120~130%, 130~150%, or above 150% of the obesity index, respectively. Fitness level was determined by the scores on a battery of tests [50 m-run (power), push-ups (boys) / chin-ups (girls), sit-ups, standing long jump, sit-and-reach, long distance-run].
RESULTS
Obese subjects had a significantly lower fitness score compared to their non obese counterparts (P < 0.05). The normal group among boys and the underweight group among girls scored the highest in fitness. The fitness score and obesity index were negatively related in the rest of the groups.
CONCLUSION
Results of the present study demonstrated that being underweight was not significantly related tolow fitness level, while obesity had a great effect on the decline of fitness level among Korean youth. Therefore, it is important to manage childhood obesity through education on a regular basis in school and at home.