G Stratton1, D Canoy, L M Boddy, S R Taylor, A F Hackett, I E Buchan. 1. Research into Activity and Children's Health Group, Research Institute for Sports and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK. g.stratton@ljmu.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the changes over time in cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index (BMI) of children. DESIGN: Serial cross-sectional, population-based study. SETTING: Primary schools in Liverpool, UK. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 15,621 children (50% boys), representing 74% of eligible 9-11-year olds in the annual school cohorts between 1998/9 and 2003/4, who took part in a 20m multi-stage shuttle run test (20mMST). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight, height, BMI (kg/m(2)) and obesity using the International Obesity Taskforce definition. RESULTS: Median (95% confidence interval) 20mMST score (number of runs) fell in boys from 48.9 (47.9-49.9) in 1998/9 to 38.1 (36.8-39.4) in 2003/4, and in girls from 35.8 (35.0-36.6) to 28.1 (27.2-29.1) over the same period. Fitness scores fell across all strata of BMI (P<0.001). Moreover, BMI increased over the same 6-year period even among children in fittest third of 20mMST. CONCLUSION: In a series of uniform cross-sectional assessments of school-aged children, BMI increased whereas cardiorespiratory fitness levels decreased within a 6-year period. Even among lean children, fitness scores decreased. Public health measures to reduce obesity, such as increasing physical activity, may help raise fitness levels among all children - not just the overweight or obese.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the changes over time in cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index (BMI) of children. DESIGN: Serial cross-sectional, population-based study. SETTING: Primary schools in Liverpool, UK. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 15,621 children (50% boys), representing 74% of eligible 9-11-year olds in the annual school cohorts between 1998/9 and 2003/4, who took part in a 20m multi-stage shuttle run test (20mMST). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Weight, height, BMI (kg/m(2)) and obesity using the International Obesity Taskforce definition. RESULTS: Median (95% confidence interval) 20mMST score (number of runs) fell in boys from 48.9 (47.9-49.9) in 1998/9 to 38.1 (36.8-39.4) in 2003/4, and in girls from 35.8 (35.0-36.6) to 28.1 (27.2-29.1) over the same period. Fitness scores fell across all strata of BMI (P<0.001). Moreover, BMI increased over the same 6-year period even among children in fittest third of 20mMST. CONCLUSION: In a series of uniform cross-sectional assessments of school-aged children, BMI increased whereas cardiorespiratory fitness levels decreased within a 6-year period. Even among lean children, fitness scores decreased. Public health measures to reduce obesity, such as increasing physical activity, may help raise fitness levels among all children - not just the overweight or obese.
Authors: Adela Hruby; Virginia R Chomitz; Lisa N Arsenault; Aviva Must; Christina D Economos; Robert J McGowan; Jennifer M Sacheck Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring) Date: 2012-02-06 Impact factor: 5.002
Authors: Daniel P Bailey; Lynne M Boddy; Louise A Savory; Sarah J Denton; Catherine J Kerr Journal: Eur J Pediatr Date: 2012-03-15 Impact factor: 3.183
Authors: Emma L Houston; Julien S Baker; Duncan S Buchan; Gareth Stratton; Stuart J Fairclough; Lawrence Foweather; Rebecca Gobbi; Lee E F Graves; Nicola Hopkins; Lynne M Boddy Journal: Eur J Pediatr Date: 2013-02-26 Impact factor: 3.183
Authors: Stuart J Fairclough; Allan F Hackett; Ian G Davies; Rebecca Gobbi; Kelly A Mackintosh; Genevieve L Warburton; Gareth Stratton; Esther M F van Sluijs; Lynne M Boddy Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2013-07-02 Impact factor: 3.295