Biological and behavioral correlates of body weight status among rural Northeast Brazilian schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVES: The increase in the prevalence of overweight/obesity in youth is a public health problem worldwide; however, few studies have investigated its prevalence and correlates in children from the Brazilian Northeast region rural zone. The purpose of this study was (1) to estimate the prevalence of children's weight status according to sex, age, and birth weight categories; and (2) to investigate the links between biological and behavioral factors and weight categories. METHODS: The sample comprises 501 children (248 girls), aged 7-10 years, classified as low weight, normal weight, overweight, and obese using body mass index cut-points. Predicted variables included birth weight, percentage of body fat (%BF), fat free mass (FFM), physical fitness, and gross motor coordination. RESULTS: Data showed differences among weight groups for the predictor variables. Results of the logistic regression revealed that sex, age, %BF, FFM, physical fitness, and motor coordination seem to be relevant predictors of children's weight status, while no significant effect was observed for birth weight. CONCLUSION: Children with lower physical fitness levels as well as those with lower motor coordination quotient are more likely to be overweight and/or obese. No significant relationship was observed between birth weight and weight status in childhood. Strategies to reduce childhood obesity should consider biological, behavioral, and also environmental predictors.

Birthweight, body composition, and motor performance in 7- to 10-year-old children.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of birthweight on motor performance and body composition in children. Further, we investigated whether associations between birthweight and motor performance changed after adjustment for current height, body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass (FFM), and % body fat. METHOD: A total of 483 children (251 males and 232 females) aged 7 to 10 years (mean 8.78, SD 1.0y) born in Vitória Santo Antão (northeast Brazil) were sampled. Motor performance was operationalized using different physical fitness components and gross motor coordination. Physical fitness was measured by handgrip strength, muscle endurance, explosive power, flexibility, agility, running speed, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Gross motor coordination was evaluated by means of the Körper Koordination Test für Kinder (KTK). RESULTS: Positive correlations between birthweight and height, BMI, and FFM were found. Birthweight was positively correlated with handgrip strength and negatively correlated with 20-meter sprint time, even after controlling for age, height, BMI, FFM, and % body fat. Birthweight was negatively associated with relative VO2max (mL/kg/min); however, the association was no longer significant after inclusion of BMI or FFM in the model. INTERPRETATION: Birthweight significantly predicted height, BMI, FFM, and performance in strength and velocity tests, but did not influence gross motor coordination.

Maternal low-protein diet-induced delayed reflex ontogeny is attenuated by moderate physical training during gestation in rats.

We evaluated the effects of moderate- to low-intensity physical training during gestation on reflex ontogeny in neonate rats whose mothers were undernourished. Virgin female Wistar rats were divided into four groups as follows: untrained (NT, n 7); trained (T, n 7); untrained with a low-protein diet (NT+LP, n 7); trained with a low-protein diet (T+LP, n 4). Trained rats were subjected to a protocol of moderate physical training on a treadmill over a period of 4 weeks (5 d/week and 60 min/d, at 65 % of VO2max). After confirming the pregnancy, the intensity and duration of the exercise were reduced. Low-protein groups were provided with an 8 % casein diet, and controls were provided with a 17 % casein diet. Their respective offspring were evaluated (during the 10th-17th days of postnatal life) in terms of physical feature maturation, somatic growth and reflex ontogeny. Pups born to mothers provided with the low-protein diet during gestation and lactation showed delayed physical feature and reflex maturation and a deficit in somatic growth when compared with controls. However, most of these deficiencies were attenuated in pups of undernourished mothers undergoing training. In conclusion, physical training during gestation attenuates the effects of perinatal undernutrition on some patterns of maturation in the central nervous system during development.

Plyometric training increases gross motor coordination and associated components of physical fitness in children.

There is only limited evidence to suggest that training during childhood produces greater adaptations than at other ages. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of plyometric training (12 weeks, twice/week, 20 min/day) on physical fitness (PF) and gross motor coordination (GMC) in schoolboys aged 7-9 years. A total of 116 boys were assigned to two groups: plyometric training group (PT,n = 73) and control group (CG,n = 43). The CG maintained their normal daily activities. The PT consisted of twice-weekly exercises on nonconsecutive days for twelve weeks under monitored and controlled conditions. PF (handgrip strength, standing long jump (SLJ), curl-ups, sit and reach, square-test, running speed, and 1 mile run test), GMC, Korper-koordinations-test fur Kinder (KTK), and body mass index (BMI) were assessed. The main results through a 2 × 2 (time × groups) repeated measures analysis variance demonstrated a significant time effect that improves PF and GMC according to the direction of the measure. A group effect was observed only in the abdominal strength test (CG = 12.06% and PT = 17.04%) and moving sideways (CG = 11.1% and PT = 12.4%) showing that independent of the group there was an improvement. A significant interaction effect (time × groups) was observed in the flexibility test (CG = -2.7% and PT = 3.5%) and STJ (CG = 3.1% and PT = 18.5%), as well as jumping sideways (CG = 16.3% and PT = 17.4%) and overall GMC score (CG = 9.8% and PT = 15.9%), showing that gains in these variables were greater in the PT group. The results suggest that 12 weeks of PT improve components of gross motor coordination and health-related physical fitness in children.

PHYSICAL FITNESS AND BIRTH WEIGHT IN YOUNG MEN FROM MAPUTO CITY, MOZAMBIQUE / APTIDÃO FÍSICA E PESO AO NASCER EM JOVENS DA CIDADE DE MAPUTO, MOÇAMBIQUE / APTITUD FÍSICA Y PESO AL NACER EN HOMBRES JÓVENES DE LA CIUDAD DE MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE

ABSTRACT Introduction: Birth weight has been considered an important marker of the nutritional transition in developing countries. Objective: To evaluate the influence of birth weight on body composition and physical fitness of young men born in Maputo, Mozambique. Methods: One hundred and seventy-nine students (aged 19 to 22 years) were divided into four groups (low birth weight < 2.500 g, LBW, n = 49; insufficient birth weight ≥ 2.500 g and < 3.000 g, IBW, n = 27; normal birth weight ≥ 3.000 g and < 3.999 g, NBW, n = 74; and high birth weight > 3.999 g, HBW, n = 31). Anthropometry and body composition were measured. Physical fitness was assessed by handgrip strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, agility, and running speed. Results: IBW showed lower values of body mass and fat free mass while LBW and HBW had high values of hip circumference, suprailiac, subscapular and abdominal skinfold when compared to NBW. LBW and HBW showed a high percentage of individuals with low performance in flexibility, right handgrip, agility, abdominal resistance, arms strength, and horizontal long jump. Around 70% of HBW showed low performance in the running speed test. Conclusion: Both low and high birth weight can influence adult adiposity and the performance in physical fitness tests.

RESUMO Introdução: O peso ao nascer tem sido considerado um marcador importante da transição nutricional nos países em desenvolvimento. Objetivo: Avaliar a influência do peso ao nascimento na composição corporal e aptidão física de homens jovens nascidos em Maputo, Moçambique. Métodos: Cento e setenta e nove estudantes (com idades entre 19 a 22 anos) foram divididos em quatro grupos (baixo peso ao nascer < 2.500 g, BPN, n = 49; peso insuficiente ao nascer ≥ 2.500 g e < 3.000 g, PIN, n = 27; peso normal ao nascer ≥ 3.000 g e < 3.999 g, PNN, n = 74; e peso elevado ao nascer > 3.999 g, PEN, n = 31). Foram avaliadas a antropometria e a composição corporal. A aptidão física foi avaliada por testes de força de preensão manual, resistência muscular, flexibilidade, agilidade e velocidade de corrida. Resultados: PIN mostrou menores valores de massa corporal e massa livre de gordura, enquanto BPN e PEN apresentaram altos valores de circunferência do quadril, supra-ilíaca, subescapular e dobra cutânea abdominal quando comparados com PNN. BPN e PEN mostraram um alto percentual de indivíduos com baixo desempenho em termos de flexibilidade, preensão palmar direita, agilidade, resistência abdominal, força de braço, e salto em distância horizontal. Cerca de 70% dos PEN apresentaram baixo desempenho no teste de velocidade de corrida. Conclusão: Ambos baixo e alto peso ao nascer podem influenciar a adiposidade no adulto e o desempenho em testes de aptidão física.

RESUMEN Introducción: El peso al nacer ha sido considerado un importante marcador de la transición nutricional en los países en desarrollo. Objetivo: Evaluar la influencia del peso al nacer en la composición corporal y la aptitud física de los jóvenes nacidos en Maputo, Mozambique. Métodos: Ciento setenta y nueve estudiantes (de 19 a 22 años) se dividieron en cuatro grupos (bajo peso al nacer < 2.500 g, BPN, n = 49; peso insuficiente al nacer ≥ 2.500 g y < 3.000 g, PIN, n = 27; peso normal al nacer ≥ 3.000 g y < 3.999 g, PNN, n = 74; y peso elevado al nacer > 3.999 g, PEN, n = 31). Se evaluó la antropometría y composición corporal. La aptitud física se evaluó mediante la fuerza de prensión, resistencia muscular, flexibilidad, agilidad y velocidad de carrera. Resultados: PIN mostró valores más bajos de masa corporal y masa libre de grasa, mientras que el BPN y PEN tenían valores altos de circunferencia de la cadera, suprailiaco, subescapular y pliegue abdominal en comparación con PNN. BPN y HBW mostraron un alto porcentaje de personas con bajo rendimiento en flexibilidad, fuerza de prensión de la mano derecha, agilidad, resistencia abdominal, fuerza de los brazos, y salto de longitud horizontal. Alrededor del 70% de HBW mostró bajo rendimiento en la prueba de velocidad de carrera. Conclusión: Tanto bajo y alto peso al nacer pueden influir en la obesidad de adultos y el desempeño en las pruebas de aptitud física.

Pode o peso ao nascer influenciar o estado nutricional, os níveis de atividade física e a aptidão física relacionada à saúde de crianças e jovens? / Can birth weight influence nutritional status, physical activity levels and health-related physical fitness levels of children and adolescents?

A aptidão física relacionada à saúde é definida como um conjunto de atributos fisiológicos que o indivíduo apresenta para o desempenho de atividades físicas diárias sem fadiga excessiva. Sabe-se que fatores como atividade física e estado nutricional influenciam diretamente os níveis de aptidão física. Entretanto, o aporte adequado de nutrientes nos períodos iniciais da vida é determinante para o crescimento e o desenvolvimento de órgãos e de sistemas. O peso ao nascer está relacionado ao desenvolvimento intrauterino bem como à prevalência de doenças cardiovasculares e metabólicas. Recentemente o peso ao nascer tem sido associado aos níveis de aptidão física relacionada à saúde. O mecanismo subjacente pode estar relacionado aos efeitos decorrentes de insultos ocorridos no período crítico do desenvolvimento, com alterações no padrão de eventos celulares. As consequências estão na aquisição de padrões fisiológicos maduros do organismo e na ocorrência de eventos metabólicos, com prejuízo na aptidão física. O presente estudo propõe uma análise sobre a aptidão física relacionada à saúde e sua relação com a atividade física, o estado nutricional e com o peso ao nascer do indivíduo. Os termos de indexação utilizados foram: physical fitness, programming, physical activity, nutritional status e low birth weight. Concluiu-se que indivíduos nascidos com baixo peso apresentam alterações no estado nutricional com consequências negativas para a atividade física e aptidão física relacionada à saúde.

Heath-related physical fitness is defined as a set of physiological attributes that are necessary for performing daily physical activities without excessive fatigue. Physical activity and nutritional status can influence the individual's physical fitness levels directly. However, the appropriate supply of nutrients in early life is crucial for the growth and development of organs and systems. Birth weight is associated with intrauterine development and to the incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Recently, birth weight has been associated with health-related physical fitness levels. The underlying mechanism may be related to the effects of insults that occur during a critical period of human development, with changes in the standard cellular events. The acquisition of mature physiological body patterns and the occurrence of metabolic events are affected, resulting in impaired physical fitness. The present study proposes an analysis on physical fitness, nutritional status and birth weight. The keywords used were: physical fitness, programming, physical activity, nutritional status and low birth weight. In conclusion, low-birth weight individuals present changes in the nutritional status which have a negative impact on physical activity and health-related physical fitness.