Abstract
The relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and both physical fitness (PF) and physical activity (PA) level has been analysed in several studies. The aim of this research was to describe, compare and analyse the level of PF and PA in schoolchildren aged 6–13 in the Region of Murcia, according to adherence to the MD. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed. A total of 370 schoolchildren (44.9% girls) aged 6–13 (8.7 ± 1.8) from six primary schools in the Region of Murcia (Spain). Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children and teenagers (KIDMED) was used to determinate the adherence to the MD. The ALPHA-FIT Test Battery was applied for assess body composition and PF. PA level was determined using Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Only 25.9% of the schoolchildren had optimal adherence to the MD. Regarding the scores of the different PF tests in MD groups, only statistically significant differences were found for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) (p = 0.048) in boys. PA level showed statistically significant differences in both boys (p = 0.040) and girls (p = 0.016). A positive relationship was found between the KIDMED and PA level (p = 0.235). A higher probability of having a greater CRF (OR = 1.17; CI = 1.02–1.34) and PA level (OR = 7.84; CI = 2.84–21.60) was found in high MD group. These results suggest that an optimal adherence to the MD is associated with higher CRF and PA level in the selected schoolchildren.
Highlights
Health-related physical fitness (PF) is defined as a set of attributes that people have or achieve related to the ability to engage in physical activity (PA) [1]
These results suggest that an optimal adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) is associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and PA
No statistically statistically significant differences were found by sex, showing a similar pattern between boys and Overall, significant differences were found by sex, showing a similar pattern between boys and girls
Summary
Health-related physical fitness (PF) is defined as a set of attributes that people have or achieve related to the ability to engage in physical activity (PA) [1]. The components of PF shown to be directly related to improve health are cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), flexibility, muscular fitness (i.e., this definition incorporates the domains of muscular strength, muscular power and local muscular endurance) and body composition [2]. The association between PF and some metabolic risk factors in children, adolescents, and adults has been well described in previous researches [3,4]. Regarding lifestyle, inadequate eating habits are important with respect to the onset and progression of metabolic disorders, playing an important role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases [10], and causing more deaths than other factors traditionally considered as smoking [11]
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