Health status, physical fitness and correlates to physical activity in Italian children: Physical Fitness and BMI in Italian Children

Domenico Monacis; Italo Sannicandro; Dario Colella

doi:10.52165/kinsi.30.1.20-35

Authors

Domenico Monacis DiSTeBA, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6000-7579
Italo Sannicandro Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
Dario Colella DiSTeBA, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8676-4540

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52165/kinsi.30.1.20-35

Keywords:

health-related physical fitness, enjoyment, self-perception

Abstract

The inverse relationship between sedentary habits, physical fitness, self-perception, and enjoyment during physical activity (PA) has been widely demonstrated by international literature. Furthermore, according to recent epidemiological report, Italy is one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of overweight and obese children and adolescents. The present study aims to assess physical fitness levels, self-perception and enjoyment in a sample of 3676 primary school children (M= 1861, F= 1815, mean age= 9-10 years) attending the SBAM! project in Apulia, Southern Italy. The objective is to provide epidemiological data of the health status of children through the assessment of BMI Z-scores, physical fitness and factors related to the practice of PA. The following physical fitness test were proposed: standing long jump, (SLJ), shuttle run 10x4, (10x4), and 6 minutes walking test (6MWT), to assess lower limb explosive strength, agility and coordination, and aerobic endurance, respectively. Two validated questionnaire was used to assess self-perception and enjoyment. Results showed a large percentage of children that were overweight/obese or underweight, and a negative relation with physical fitness test and questionnaires. Moreover, normal weight sample had better motor performance, self-perception, and enjoyment during PA than underweight or overweight/obese groups. These results confirm the needs to promote and develop projects and institutional interventions aimed at enhancing physical activity and healthy lifestyles in Southern Italy.

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