Adolescents with high intellectual ability: differences in body composition and physical activity by sex

Physical activity (PA) has been shown to have multiple health and wellness benefits, but there is no such information for adolescents with high intellectual ability (HIA). Thus, the aim of this study is to assess body composition and PA in HIA Chilean adolescents.

Weight and body composition were measured by bioelectrical impedance in 73 adolescents (39 female) aged 14-18 years from the Valparaíso region of Chile. HIA was assessed via Raven's Progressive Matrices (> 75th percentile) and PA, via questionnaire. Obesity was defined as a body fat percentage (BF%) ≥ 25 (for boys) or ≥ 30 BF% (for girls).

Obesity prevalence was 43.59% in females and 8.82% in males. A total of 69% of adolescents performed more than two hours of weekly exercise, with the amount being greater in males. BF% and fat mass index were significantly different (p < 0.05) in adolescents who engaged in fewer than two hours of weekly exercise. On the contrary, subjects who performed more than two hours of weekly exercise exhibited higher mass muscle percentages (p < 0.01). After controlling for socioeconomic status and PA, the obesity odds ratio (OR = 7.6; 95% CI: 1.9-30.9) was significantly higher in females (p < 0.01).

Adolescents with HIA reported elevated PA. However, obesity was more prevalent in females, who also reported less weekly PA than males.