Abstract
Obesity is identified as a worldwide issue and thus assessing health related components of physical fitness in youths may help in identifying risk factors associated with obesity. PURPOSE: To compare fitness variables between the youths of Singapore (SGP) and Bangkok (BKK). METHODS: A sample of 1559 (Age: 13.49 ± 1.21 yrs; Height: 159.76 ± 8.94 cm; Weight: 51.91 ± 13.38 kg) youths from SGP and 1098 (Age: 13.95 ± 0.85 yrs; Height: 158.88 ± 7.98 cm; Weight: 53.01 ± 14.13 kg) youths from BKK were recruited for this study. Body composition was measured using a bio-impedance analysis (BIA) machine. A one-legged sit-and-reach test for both legs (SRT), handgrip strength test for both hands (HST), sit-up test (SUT), and 15m youth Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) test was conducted to measure flexibility, arm strength, abdominal endurance, and cardiorespiratory endurance respectively. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in body composition between the youths in SGP and BKK, as indicated by their body mass index (SGP: 20.19 ± 4.21 kg.m-2, BKK: 20.85 ± 4.64 kg.m-2, p < 0.0005) and body fat percentage (SGP: 21.51 ± 10.25 %, BKK: 23.43 ± 11.23 %, p < 0.0005). Significant differences were found between the youths of both countries for SRT for both legs (SGP: 108.27 ± 20.31 cm, BKK: 103.59 ± 18.25 cm, p < 0.0005), HST for both hands (SGP: 50.32 ± 15.53 kg, BKK: 52.20 ± 12.72 kg, p = 0.001), SUT (SGP: 38.94 ± 11.92, BKK: 27.19 ± 9.72, p < 0.0005), and PACER (SGP: 40.93 ± 23.90 laps, BKK: 30.37 ± 16.26 laps, p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The youths of SGP had lower body composition, were more flexible, had higher abdominal endurance, and were more aerobically fit compared to the youths of BKK. This indicated a lower risk of obesity and cardiovascular risk in SGP youths as compared to BKK. More research is needed to identify the reasons for these differences which may help youths to continue participating in high levels of physical activity and exercise to reduce cardiovascular risks.
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