Assessment of Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescents with Simple Obesity

The systematic increase in the number of overweight and obese people in recent years has led to the recognition of this condition as a chronic, non-infectious disease of civilization, declared a global epidemic by WHO in 1997. This phenomenon is particularly dangerous in children, because it negatively affects their later existence in the health, mental and social spheres. This phenomenon is particularly concerning in the pediatric population, as it may have long-term adverse effects on physical health, psychological well-being, and social functioning.

The aim of this study was to assess anthropometric parameters and physical fitness using the EUROFIT test in children and adolescents diagnosed with obesity.

The study group consisted of 123 pediatric patients attending the Endocrinology and Diabetology Clinic and Pediatric Rehabilitation IP-CZD aged 8-16 (64 boys-52% and 59 girls-48%) with diagnosed simple obesity. Obesity was diagnosed according to the CDC standard using percentile charts from the OLAF study. Physical fitness was assessed using the EUROFIT test using 8 samples, and body mass composition was examined using the bioimpedance method with the BC 418 Tanita analyzer.

The results of our own research obtained in this study were compared to population standards. The total results of the EUROFIT test in the study group were statistically significantly lower than the norm. The results of the balance, upper limb movement speed, jumping, trunk strength, functional strength and agility tests were lower than the norm, the flexibility result was within the norm, and only hand strength was higher than the norm. In 4 out of 8 fitness tests, girls achieved significantly better results than boys.

Reduced physical fitness is characteristic of children and adolescents with simple obesity. Worse physical fitness shows significant correlations with the results of anthropometric measurements.