Factors associated with low levels of aerobic fitness among adolescents

Eliane Cristina De Andrade Gonçalves,Diego Augusto Santos Silva

doi:10.1016/j.rppede.2015.06.025

Eliane Cristina De Andrade Gonçalves, Diego Augusto Santos Silva

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rppede.2015.06.025

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Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence of low aerobic fitness levels and to analyze the association with sociodemographic factors, lifestyle and excess body fatness among adolescents of southern Brazil. MethodsThe study included 879 adolescents aged 14–19 years the city of São José/SC, Brazil. The aerobic fitness was assessed by Canadian modified test of aerobic fitness. Sociodemographic variables (skin color, age, sex, study turn, economic level), sexual maturation and lifestyle (eating habits, screen time, physical activity, consumption of alcohol and tobacco) were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Excess body fatness was evaluated by sum of skinfolds triceps and subscapular. We used logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. ResultsPrevalence of low aerobic fitness level was 87.5%. The girls who spent two hours or more in front screen, consumed less than one glass of milk by day, did not smoke and had an excess of body fatness had a higher chance of having lower levels of aerobic fitness. White boys with low physical activity had had a higher chance of having lower levels of aerobic fitness. ConclusionsEight out of ten adolescents were with low fitness levels aerobic. Modifiable lifestyle factors were associated with low levels of aerobic fitness. Interventions that emphasize behavior change are needed.

Highlights

Secular trend studies have shown that the aerobic performance of young individuals is decreasing.[1]
We considered a refusal when the adolescent declined to participate and, as sample loss, the students who returned an incomplete questionnaire or did not undergo one or more physical tests
Girls that had two or more hours of screen time, did not smoke and had excess body fat had a higher prevalence of low levels of aerobic fitness (p

Summary

Introduction

Secular trend studies have shown that the aerobic performance of young individuals is decreasing.[1] The decrease has reached 0.36% a year,[1] with a prevalence of low aerobic performance in approximately 80% among Brazilian adolescents.[2]. The decline in aerobic fitness is associated with some individual characteristics, such as sociodemographic and life style factors.[6] A systematic review identified the following factors associated with low levels of aerobic fitness: female gender, low economic level, lower consumption of dairy products and cereals, higher consumption of sweetened beverages, insufficient physical activity, excessive screen time and excess of body fat.[6] it is controversial the association between low levels of aerobic fitness and other sociodemographic factors, such as skin color and age. The association between aerobic fitness levels and excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption is scarcely studied.[6]

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