Sibling Resemblance in Physical Activity Levels: The Peruvian Sibling Study on Growth and Health.

Physical activity is associated with a host of positive health outcomes and is shaped by both genetic and environmental factors. We aim to: (1) estimate sibling resemblance in two physical activity phenotypes [total number of steps∙day-1 and minutes for moderate steps per day (min∙day-1)]; and (2) investigate the joint associations of individual characteristics and shared natural environment with intra-pair sibling similarities in each phenotype. We sampled 247 biological siblings from 110 nuclear families, aged 6-17 years, from three Peruvian regions. Physical activity was measured using pedometers and body mass index was calculated. In general, non-significant variations in the intraclass correlation coefficients were found after adjustment for individual characteristics and geographical area for both phenotypes. Further, no significant differences were found between the three sib-ship types. Sister-sister pairs tended to take fewer steps than brother-brother (ß = -2908.75 ± 954.31). Older siblings tended to walk fewer steps (ß = -81.26 ± 19.83), whereas body mass index was not associated with physical activity. Siblings living at high-altitude and in the Amazon region had higher steps/day (ß = 2508.92 ± 737.94; ß = 2213.11 ± 776.63, respectively) compared with their peers living at sea-level. In general, we found no influence of sib-types, body mass index, and/or environment on the two physical activity phenotypes.

Secular Trends in Physical Fitness of Peruvian Children Living at High-Altitude.

The physical fitness of children is an important marker of health, and monitoring its temporal changes provides important information for developing interventions. We aimed to: (1) describe secular trends in physical fitness across age, within each sex, in Peruvian schoolchildren; and (2) verify if these trends are also present when adjusted for changes in height and weight. We sampled 1590 children (707 in 2009; 883 in 2019), aged 6-11 years. Physical fitness was assessed with four tests from the EUROFIT battery. ANOVA and ANCOVA statistical models were used. Results showed that with increasing age, girls and boys were significantly stronger in all PF tests, except for the case of flexibility in girls. In 2019, girls were stronger (handgrip) and more flexible than in 2009; but lower values were evident in standing long jumps in both sexes. Age-by-year interactions were statistically significant for agility in both sexes, with significant differences occurring at different ages. These trends did not change when adjusted for temporal changes in height and weight. Our research provides important data for local governments to implement public policies and practices to improve physical fitness levels in children.

Sibling Resemblances in Physical Fitness in Three Distinct Regions in Peru: The Peruvian Sibling Study on Growth and Health.

We estimated sibling resemblance in health-related physical fitness (PF) and examined how individual characteristics and shared natural environment accounted for sibling similarities. The sample comprised 656 sibling pairs and 102 triplets (6-15 years of age), from three geographical areas of Peru. PF components included morphological (waist circumference, sum of skinfolds), muscular (handgrip strength, standing long jump), and motor (shuttle-run). Body mass index (BMI) and somatic maturation were also assessed. In general, sibling intraclass correlations differed significantly across sib-ship types for waist circumference and handgrip strength but were the same for sum of skinfolds, standing long jump, and shuttle-run. Further, in general, both individual characteristics and geographical area of residence significantly influenced the magnitude of sibling resemblance as well as the mean levels of PF. In conclusion, individual characteristics and shared natural environment jointly influenced the expression of PF in Peruvian siblings, revealing the importance of these features when designing individualized programs promoting fitness.

Regional variation in growth status. The Peruvian health and optimist growth study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to (1) investigate differences in weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) among Peruvian children and adolescents living in three areas located at different altitudes; (2) compare age- and sex-specific height, weight, and BMI within each site with US reference data. METHODS: We sampled 8753 subjects (4130 boys), aged 4 to 17 years from sea level, rainforest, and high-altitude. Height, weight, and WC were measured and BMI was calculated. Analysis of variance was used to compare variables across geographic regions, and the Hoff and Blackburn procedure was used to compare the Peruvian results with US reference data. RESULTS: Participants living at sea level were taller, heavier, had greater BMI and WC relative to those living at high-altitude and in the rainforest. Peruvian schoolchildren of both sexes from the three geographical areas were shorter and lighter than their American peers. Boys and girls living in the rainforest and at high-altitude had lower BMI, whereas WC values of American schoolchildren are higher than those of the Peruvian children by age and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Peruvians living at different altitudes differ in their growth indicators (height, weight, BMI, and WC), with significant differences between those living at sea level relative to their peers from other regions. Further, Peruvian schoolchildren of both sexes from the three geographical areas significantly differ from their US counterparts.

Biological and environmental influences on motor coordination in Peruvian children and adolescents.

This study investigated the associations between biological and environmental factors and gross-motor coordination (GMC) in Peruvian children and adolescents. The sample comprised 7401 boys and girls, aged 6-14 years, recruited from three geographical regions: sea-level, Amazon and high-altitude. Biological variables included age, sex, height, BMI, physical fitness, stunting, and maturational status. Environmental influences included geographical region and school characteristics. Gross-motor coordination was tested with the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder and the data analyzed by multilevel logistic regression. Results showed a high prevalence of below normal GMC scores. Sex, age, geographical area, biological maturation, BMI (normal versus overweight/obesity), and stunting were all significant predictors of GMC. There was also an interaction between age, sex, and geographical area indicating that older girls who lived at sea-level and high-altitude were more likely to display below normal GMC scores. The school context was less important in predicting GMC problems than the interplay between biological characteristics and geographical region. These results suggest that early identification, as well as educational and pediatric care interventions, are of importance in reducing below normal GMC among Peruvian children and adolescents.

Physical fitness spurts in childhood: A study in boys.

This study aimed to (1) estimate age-at-mid-growth spurt (age-at-MGS) in Portuguese boys from two different regions-the Azores islands and Viana do Castelo, and (2) identify spurts in a variety of physical fitness (PF) components aligned by age-at-MGS in the two samples. A total of 176 (Azores, n = 91; Viana do Castelo, n = 85) boys aged 6 years old were followed annually to 10 years of age. Age-at-MGS and spurts in PF components (speed, explosive muscular strength, abdominal muscular strength, agility, and flexibility) were identified for each sample. The timing and intensities of the spurts were estimated using a non-smooth mathematical procedure. In Azorean boys, age-at-MGS occurred at 7.8 years (6.99 cm y-1 ), whereas in Viana do Castelo it occurred at 7.9 years (6.20 cm y-1 ). Spurt in speed was attained 12 months after the MGS in both samples (0.53 and 0.35 cm y-1 in Azores and Viana do Castelo, respectively), whereas spurts in explosive muscular strength and flexibility occurred 12 months before the MGS and at the MGS (Azores: 21.59 and 5.52 cm y-1 and Viana do Castelo: 14.12 and 2.5 cm y-1 , respectively). Agility and abdominal muscular strength peaked between 0 and 12 months after the MGS (Viana do Castelo: 0.37 m s-1  y-1 and 6.71 reps y-1 and Azores: 0.28 m s-1  y-1 and 19.36 reps y-1 , respectively). Results indicate that developmental spurts in explosive strength and flexibility occur before, or are coincident with, the mid-growth spurt in height, whereas spurts in speed, agility, and abdominal muscular strength occur after, or coincident with, the mid-growth spurt in height.

A multilevel analysis of gross motor coordination of children and adolescents living at different altitudes: the Peruvian Health and Optimist Growth Study.

BACKGROUND: Gross motor coordination (GMC) is a potential correlate of lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes in childhood and adolescence. AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine how sex, age, biological maturation, overweight, stunting, and physical fitness are associated with GMC in children and adolescents from Peru, and to examine associations between geographical area of residence, school-level characteristics, and GMC. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample included 7408 subjects, aged 6-14 years, from sea level, Amazon and high-altitude regions of Peru. A composite marker of total coordination was derived by the sum of scores from each test (GMCT). Overweight was identified using BMI, and biological maturation, physical fitness, and stunting were assessed. School characteristics were obtained via an objective audit. RESULTS: Boys (ß = 12.23 ± 0.90) and older children (ß = 13.37 ± 0.64) had higher GMCT than girls and younger children, respectively. Overweight was associated with lower GMCT (ß = -5.23 ± 0.80), whereas fitness was positively associated with GMCT (ß = 6.30 ± 0.25). Biological maturation was not a predictor; however, stunting was negatively associated with GMCT (ß = -3.71 ± 1.56). Subjects living in the Amazon had higher GMCT than those at sea level (ß = 16.57 ± 4.73). Five of nine school-level predictors (number of students, playground area with obstacles, multi-sports roofed, frequency and duration of Physical Education classes) were significant predictors of GMCT. CONCLUSIONS: Child- and school-level variables were significantly associated with GMCT in this sample. These findings are important for the Peruvian community, especially school principals, councils and physical education teachers, helping them to define more efficient strategies and action plans to increase motor coordination in children.

A multivariate multilevel analysis of youth motor competence. The Peruvian Health and Optimist Growth Study.

We use a multivariate multilevel model to study the links between physical fitness (PF) and gross motor coordination (GMC) and investigate the influence of predictors affecting their levels across age. We sampled 7918 Peruvians, aged 6-15 years, from sea-level, Amazon region and high-altitude. Composite markers of GMC and PF were derived (GMCz and PFz , respectively). BMI, biological maturation, and stunting were assessed. School characteristics were obtained via an objective audit. School contexts explained 35% of the associations between PFz and GMCz , whereas children's characteristics explained 65% of the total variation. On average, with increasing age, there was a greater increase in GMCz (ß = 0.79 ± 0.04, P < .001) than in PFz (ß = 0.15 ± 0.03, P < .001); boys outperformed girls (PFz , ß = 3.25 ± 0.08, P < .001; GMCz , ß = 1.58 ± 0.09, P < .001); those with lower BMI and ahead in their maturation had higher PFz (ß = -0.13 ± 0.01, P < .001; ß = 1.09 ± 0.05, P < .001, respectively) and GMCz (ß = -0.18 ± 0.01, P < .001; ß = 0.39 ± 0.06, P < .001, respectively) levels. Stunting was negatively related to PFz (ß = -0.30 ± 0.07; P < .001) and GMCz (ß = -0.30 ± 0.08, P < .001) and high-altitude Peruvians had significantly lower GMCz (ß = -0.93 ± 0.33, P < .001), and those living in the Amazon region had significantly higher PFz (ß = 1.21 ± 0.58, P < .001) compared to those living at sea level. A higher number of students was negatively related to PFz (ß = -0.016 ± 0.006, P < .001) and positively with GMCz (ß = 0.005 ± 0.003, P < .001); the duration of physical education classes was positively associated with PFz (ß = 0.70 ± 0.32, P < .001) and GMCz (ß = 0.46 ± 0.15, P < .001); and the existence of policies for physical activity was only negatively associated with GMCz (ß = -1.17 ± 0.34, P < .001). In conclusion, PFz and GMCz were positively correlated and child- and school-level traits predicted their levels.

Stunting and Physical Fitness. The Peruvian Health and Optimist Growth Study.

Stunting, defined as linear growth retardation, is a serious public health problem in developing countries. We aimed to (1) describe the prevalence of stunting in Peruvian youth living in three geographical regions, and to (2) determine height and physical fitness (PF) differences between stunted and normal-growth children across age and sex. We sampled 7918 subjects (7074 normal-growth and 844 stunted), aged 6-15 year, from sea-level, Amazon and high-altitude regions of Peru. PF was assessed with standardized tests, and stunting was computed following World Health Organization (WHO) standards. A two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) model was used. Results showed that stunting prevalence increased with age (from 6% at 6 year to 18.4% at 15 year in girls, and 9.3% at 6 year to 16.4% at 15 year in boys); was higher in boys (12.3%) than in girls (9.3%), and was higher in the Amazon region (25.3%), followed by high-altitude (24.3%) and sea-level (8.1%). Stunting had a negative overall impact on girls' and boys' statures. Further, the age-by-stunting interactions were statistically significant for both sexes, and significant differences in height varied to some degree across age. Stunted children performed worse in handgrip and standing long jump, but outperformed their normal-growth peers in shuttle-run (only boys), and in 12 min run. Further, significant differences in the age-by-stunting interaction occurred in all PF tests, varying to some degree across age. In conclusion, stunting significantly affects Peruvian youth's PF levels, and this influence is sex-, age- and PF test-specific.

Correlates of Overweight in Children and Adolescents Living at Different Altitudes: The Peruvian Health and Optimist Growth Study.

Background and Aim: Overweight prevalence in children and adolescents shows great variability which is related to individual-level and environmental-level factors. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of and factors associated with overweight in Peruvian children and adolescents living at different altitudes. Methods: 8568 subjects, aged 6-16 y, from the sea level, Amazon, and high-altitude regions were sampled. Overweight was identified using BMI; biological maturation and physical fitness were measured; school characteristics were assessed via an objective audit. Results: Overweight prevalence decreased with age (28.3% at 6 y to 13.9% at 16 y); it was higher in girls (21.7%) than boys (19.8%) and was higher at the sea level (41.3%), compared with Amazon (18.8%) and high-altitude (6.3%) regions. Approximately 79% of the variance in overweight was explained by child-level characteristics. In Model 1, all child-level predictors were significant (p < 0.001); in Model 2, six out of nine added school-level predictors (number of students, existence of policies and practices for physical activity, multisports-roofed, duration of Physical Education classes, and extracurricular activities) were significant (p < 0.001); in Model 3, subjects living at high altitudes were less likely to be overweight than those living at the sea level. Conclusions: Child- and school-level variables played important roles in explaining overweight variation. This information should be taken into account when designing more efficient strategies to combat the overweight and obesity epidemic.

Growth velocity curves and pubertal spurt parameters of Peruvian children and adolescents living at different altitudes. The Peruvian health and optimist growth study.

OBJETIVE: To estimate the growth parameters of Peruvian children and adolescents living at different altitudes. METHODS: The sample comprised 10 795 Peruvian children and adolescents (5781 girls, aged 6-7 years) from sea level, the Amazon region, and high altitude. Height was measured with standardized techniques. Mathematical and biological growth parameters were estimated using the Preece-Baines growth model I. RESULTS: Sea-level children and adolescents experienced peak height velocity (PHV) at an earlier age (girls, 8.56 ± 2.37 years; boys, 12.03 ± 0.58 years) were taller at the time of PHV (girls, 144.1 ± 1.9 cm; boys, 154.3 ± 1.4 cm), had higher PHV (girls, 6.23 ± 3.87 cm/year; boys, 7.52 ± 2.31 cm/year), and had a taller estimated final height (girls, 154.2 ± 0.3 cm; boys, 166.3 ± 1.0 cm) compared to those living at high altitude (girls, 152.7 ± 0.7 cm; boys, 162.8 ± 0.8 cm) or in the Amazon region (152.1 ± 0.4 cm; boys, 162.2 ± 0.6 cm). Across all geographical areas, PHV occurred approximately 2 years earlier in girls (9.68 ± 0.99 years) than in boys (12.61 ± 0.42 years), their estimated PHV was 5.88 ± 1.92 cm/year vs 6.45 ± 1.09 cm/year, their size at PHV was 142.2 ± 1.4 cm vs 152.8 ± 0.7 cm, and their final adult height was estimated to be 153.1 ± 0.3 cm vs 164.2 ± 0.7 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Peruvian children and adolescents' physical growth timing and tempo were influenced by their living altitudes. Those living at sea level experienced an earlier age at PHV were taller at time of PHV, had a higher PHV, and had a taller estimated final height compared to those living at higher altitudes. Girls and boys also differed significantly in their growth parameters.

Are there gross motor coordination spurts during mid-childhood?

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were (1) to identify the timing of the mid-growth spurt (MGS) in stature in children and (2) to identify gross motor coordination (GMC) spurts when aligned by the age of attainment of the MGS (aMGS). METHODS: Stature, weight, and GMC were measured in 245 Portuguese children followed annually from 6 to 10 years. GMC was assessed and to estimate children's MGS in stature as well as GMC spurts in each of the four tests aligned by aMGS, we used a nonsmoothed polynomial methodology. RESULTS: In boys, the aMGS was attained at 7.8 years, whereas in girls it was 8.0 years. In boys, the peak MGS was 6.2 cm∙yr-1 and in girls it was 6.4 cm∙yr-1 . In boys, the peak for walking backwards (WB) occurred 18 months before aMGS (14.9-points∙yr-1 ), jumping sideways (JS) was 12 months after aMGS (13.5-points∙yr-1 ), hopping on one leg (HO) was 18 months before aMGS (11.7-points∙yr-1 ), and shifting platform (SP) was 12 months before aMGS (6.8-points∙yr-1 ). In girls, WB spurts occurred 12 months after aMGS (13.3-points∙yr-1 ), JS was 12 months before aMGS (10.5-points∙yr-1 ), HO was coincident with aMGS (10.4-points∙yr-1 ), and SP was 18 as well as 12 months before aMGS (7.2-points∙yr-1 ). No differences were observed in the mean peak spurts between sexes in the GMC tests. CONCLUSIONS: Boys and girls reached their MGS in stature at about the same chronological age. Spurts in GMC did not express themselves in the same biological timing relative to aMGS in stature, and there are sex differences.

Tracking of gross motor coordination in Portuguese children.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the tracking of gross motor coordination (GMC) and to profile children at 6 years of age who consistently showed higher stability patterns in different levels of GMC. The participants were 245 children (123 boys and 122 girls) who were assessed longitudinally from 6 to 9 years of age. GMC was assessed using the Korperkoordinationtest fur Kinder (KTK) test battery. Anthropometry, physical activity, and health- and performance-related physical fitness were also measured. Cohen's kappa (κ) was used to estimate tracking. Tracking was poor for all GMC tests (0.17 ≤ κ ≤ 0.38) and moderate for the GMC motor quotient (MQ) in both boys and girls (0.44 ≤ κ ≤ 0.45). Instability at the extremes was low in GMC tests and negligible for MQ. Children who consistently showed high GMC levels during the 4 years of follow-up were lighter, had lower body mass index and subcutaneous fat, and showed higher scores in physical fitness tests at 6 years of age than those who consistently had low GMC levels. In conclusion, GMC showed low-to-moderate tracking over time in childhood. However, children who consistently demonstrated high GMC levels over time had healthier profiles at 6 years of age.

An Allometric Modelling Approach to Identify the Optimal Body Shape Associated with, and Differences between Brazilian and Peruvian Youth Motor Performance.

Children from developed and developing countries differ in their body size and shape due to marked differences across their life history caused by social, economic and cultural differences which are also linked to their motor performance (MP). We used allometric models to identify size/shape characteristics associated with MP tests between Brazilian and Peruvian schoolchildren. A total of 4,560 subjects, 2,385 girls and 2,175 boys aged 9-15 years were studied. Height and weight were measured; biological maturation was estimated with the maturity offset technique; MP measures included the 12 minute run (12MR), handgrip strength (HG), standing long jump (SLJ) and the shuttle run speed (SR) tests; physical activity (PA) was assessed using the Baecke questionnaire. A multiplicative allometric model was adopted to adjust for body size differences across countries. Reciprocal ponderal index (RPI) was found to be the most suitable body shape indicator associated with the 12MR, SLJ, HG and SR performance. A positive maturation offset parameter was also associated with a better performance in SLJ, HG and SR tests. Sex differences were found in all motor tests. Brazilian youth showed better scores in MP than their Peruvian peers, even when controlling for their body size differences The current study identified the key body size associated with four body mass-dependent MP tests. Biological maturation and PA were associated with strength and motor performance. Sex differences were found in all motor tests, as well as across countries favoring Brazilian children even when accounting for their body size/shape differences.

Centile curves and reference values for height, body mass, body mass index and waist circumference of Peruvian children and adolescents.

This study aimed to provide height, body mass, BMI and waist circumference (WC) growth centile charts for school-children, aged 4-17 years, from central Peru, and to compare Peruvian data with North-American and Argentinean references. The sample consisted of 8753 children and adolescents (4130 boys and 4623 girls) aged 4 to 17 years, from four Peruvian cities: Barranco, La Merced, San Ramón and Junín. Height, body mass and WC were measured according to standardized techniques. Centile curves for height, body mass, BMI and WC were obtained separately for boys and girls using the LMS method. Student t-tests were used to compare mean values. Overall boys have higher median heights than girls, and the 50th percentile for body mass increases curvilinearly from 4 years of age onwards. In boys, the BMI and WC 50th percentiles increase linearly and in girls, the increase presents a curvilinear pattern. Peruvian children are shorter, lighter and have higher BMI than their counterparts in the U.S. and Argentina; in contrast, age and sex-specific WC values are lower. Height, body mass and WC of Peruvian children increased with age and variability was higher at older ages. The growth patterns for height, body mass, BMI and WC among Peruvian children were similar to those observed in North-American and Argentinean peers.

[Weight status and cardiorespiratory fitness in school students in the central region of Peru]. / Estatus ponderal y aptitud cardiorrespiratoria en escolares de la región central del Perú

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of overweight and obesity in relation to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels in school students in 4 districts of the central region of Peru, and to analyze the relations among these variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Weight, height and CRF were evaluated in 7841 school students who reside in four districts located on the coast, in the highlands and in the jungle of the central region of the country. Overweight and obesity were classified according to the criteria proposed by Cole. CRF was evaluated by a 12-minute run/walk test taken from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance's test battery. ANOVA and logistic regression were used to examine the differences of the averages and the associations among these variables. RESULTS: Both male and female school students have similar frequency of overweight and obesity (20.9% in women and 20.1% in men). Residents of the coast (Barranco) presen thigh frequency of overweight and obesity (37.8%). Age, sex, geographical area and CRF were significant predictors of overweight and obesity. School students who live in Barranco are five times more likely to be obese (OR=4.67; CI95%: 3.55-6.14), while those who reside in the highlands (Junin) are less likely to be obese (OR=0.03; CI95%: 0.01-0.20). Furthermore, in contrast with students with high CRF, those with low CRF are more likely to be obese (OR=11.82; CI95%: 7.25-19.27). CONCLUSIONS: There was a high frequency of overweight and obesity among school students who reside in Barranco. Low CRF is associated with overweight and obesity.

Estatus ponderal y aptitud cardiorrespiratoria en escolares de la región central del Perú / Weight status and cardiorespiratory fitness in school students in the central region of Peru

Objetivos. Determinar la frecuencia del sobrepeso y obesidad, en función a los niveles de aptitud cardiorrespiratoria (AptCR) en escolares de cuatro distritos de la región central del Perú, y analizar la asociación entre estas variables. Materiales y métodos. El peso, altura y la AptCR fueron evaluados en 7841 escolares que residen en cuatro distritos ubicados en la costa, sierra y selva de la región central del Perú. El sobrepeso y la obesidad fueron clasificados según los criterios propuestos por Cole. La AptCR fue evaluada mediante la prueba de correr/caminar de doce minutos de la batería de la American Alliance for Health, Recreation and Dance. Se utilizó el ANOVA y la regresión logística para examinar las diferencias de las medias y asociaciones entre estas variables. Resultados. Escolares de ambos sexos presentan frecuencias semejantes de sobrepeso y obesidad (20,9% en mujeres y 20,1% en varones). Residentes en la costa (Barranco) manifiestan elevadas frecuencias de sobrepeso y obesidad (37,8%). La edad, el sexo, área geográfica y la AptCR fueron predictores significativos para el sobrepeso y la obesidad. Escolares que viven en Barranco tienen cinco veces más probabilidades de ser obesos (OR=4,67; IC95%: 3,55-6,14); los que residen en la sierra (Junín) tienen una menor probabilidad de ser obesos (OR=0,03; IC95%: 0,01-0,20); y quienes muestran una baja AptCR tienen una mayor probabilidad de ser obesos (OR=11 ,82; IC95%: 7,25-19,27), en comparación con aquellos con alta AptCR. Conclusiones. Los escolares que residen en Barranco presentan frecuencias de sobrepeso y obesidad elevados. Una baja AptCR está asociada al desarrollo del sobrepeso y la obesidad.

Objectives. To determine the frequency of overweight and obesity in relation to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels in school students in 4 districts of the central region of Peru, and to analyze the relations among these variables. Materials and methods. Weight, height and CRF were evaluated in 7841 school students who reside in four districts located on the coast, in the highlands and in the jungle of the central region of the country. Overweight and obesity were classified according to the criteria proposed by Cole. CRF was evaluated by a 12-minute run/walk test taken from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance’s test battery. ANOVA and logistic regression were used to examine the differences of the averages and the associations among these variables. Results. Both male and female school students have similar frequency of overweight and obesity (20.9% in women and 20.1% in men). Residents of the coast (Barranco) presen thigh frequency of overweight and obesity (37.8%). Age, sex, geographical area and CRF were significant predictors of overweight and obesity. School students who live in Barranco are five times more likely to be obese (OR=4.67; CI95%: 3.55-6.14), while those who reside in the highlands (Junin) are less likely to be obese (OR=0.03; CI95%: 0.01-0.20). Furthermore, in contrast with students with high CRF, those with low CRF are more likely to be obese (OR=11.82; CI95%: 7.25-19.27). Conclusions. There was a high frequency of overweight and obesity among school students who reside in Barranco. Low CRF is associated with overweight and obesity.

[Evaluation of physical fitness levels in children and adolescents: establishing percentile charts for the central region of Peru]. / Valoración de la aptitud física en niños y adolescentes: construcción de cartas percentílicas para la región central del Perú

OBJECTIVES: Construct percentile charts and physical fitness (PF) reference values stratified by age and sex of children and adolescents from Peru's central region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample was comprised of 7,843 subjects (4,155 females and 3,688 males) between the ages of 6 to 17 years old. Physical fitness was assessed using six tests developed by EUROFIT, FITNESSGRAM and AAPHERD. Percentile charts were developed separately for males and females using the LMS method calculated with LMSchartmaker software. Results. Males showed higher PF values with the exception of flexibility; a clear increase in PF with increasing age was verified. CONCLUSIONS: Inter-individual variability in both sexes is substantial. Charts and specific reference values by age and sex may be used for the assessment and interpretation of children's and adolescents' PF levels in Peru's central region. These findings may be of help to educators, public health professionals, parents, and policy-makers when assessing schools' physical education programs.

Crecimiento físico de niños escolares a nivel del mar y a altitud moderada / Physical growth of school children at both sea level and moderate altitude

Introducción: Las poblaciones que habitan en altitudes elevadas presentan un pequeño retardo en el crecimiento físico lineal. Esta diferencia es atribuida al fenómeno de la hipoxia, así como a factores socioeconómicos, nutricionales y medio-ambientales. Objetivo: Comparar el crecimiento físico de niños escolares peruanos de zonas urbanas del nivel del mar (150 msnm) y de altitud moderada (2 320 msnm). Diseño: Estudio descriptivo/comparativo, diseño ex post facto. Institución: Facultad de Educación Física, Universidad estadual de Campinas, SP, Brasil; y Universidad Nacional de Educación, Lima, Perú. Participantes: Escolares. Intervenciones: Se seleccionó un total de 1 153 escolares de 6 a 11 años, de ambos géneros, procedentes de dos regiones geográficas del Perú, siendo uno de nivel del mar (NM) (Lima Este; 150 msnm) y la otra de altitud moderada (AM) (Arequipa Sur; 2 320 msnm). La selección de los escolares del NM fue de forma no-probabilística intencional, totalizando una sub-muestra de 672 niños. Los escolares de altitud moderada, escogidos de manera probabilística estratificada, estuvieron representados por 792 niños, de un total de 5 627 escolares. Se evaluó la edad y las variables de crecimiento físico de masa corporal y estatura. Los resultados fueron analizados utilizando la media aritmética (X), desviación estándar (DE) y distribución percentilar. Para comparar los grupos, se usó la prueba de t student para muestras independientes (p<0,001), y las distribuciones de p5, p10, p25, p50, p75, p85, p90 y p95 fueron comparadas de acuerdo con la fracción 100 log (percentil de la referencia/percentil calculado). Principales medidas de resultados: Crecimiento de masa corporal y estatura. Resultados: Los niños de ambos géneros y de todas las edades del NM presentaron mayor masa corporal en relación a los niños de AM. Sin embargo, respecto a la estatura, no hubo diferencias significativas, presentando similar comportamiento de crecimiento desde los 6 hasta los 11 años. Conclusiones: Estos hallazgos sugieren que el grado de estrés hipóxico en la altitud moderada no afectaría el crecimiento en estatura de niños escolares de Arequipa (2 320 msnm). A su vez, los niños a nivel del mar presentaron tendencia al sobrepeso y obesidad.

Background: Populations living at high altitudes have a small delay in linear physical growth. These differences are attributed to hypoxia as well as to socioeconomic, nutritional and environmental factors. Objectives: To compare physical growth of school children in Peruvian urban areas at sea level (150 meters above sea level) and moderate altitude (2 320 m.a.s.l.). Design: Ex post facto design, descriptive comparative study. Institution: Faculty of Physical Education, State University of Campinas, SP, Brazil, and Universidad Nacional de Educacion, Lima, Peru. Participants: School children. Interventions: A total of 1 153 boys and girls aged 6 to 11 years were selected from two Peruvian geographical regions, one at sea level (SL) (Lima-East; 150 m.a.s.l.) and the other at moderate altitude (MA) (urban Southern Arequipa; 2 320 m.a.s.l.). School children at SL were chosen in non-probabilistic intentional way, totaling a subsample of 672 children. Pupils at moderate altitude (MA) were selected by stratified probability, resulting in 792 children from a total of 5 627 school children. Decimal osmolality and body mass and height, variables of physical growth, were assessed. Results were analyzed using arithmetic mean (X), standard deviation (SD) and percentile distribution. ‘T’ student test was used to compare groups, and independent samples (p <0.001) and distributions (p5, p10, p25, p50, p75, p85, p90 and p95) were compared according to the fraction 100 log (percentile of the reference/percentile calculated). Main outcome measures: Body mass and height growth. Results: Children of both genders and all ages at sea level had higher body mass in relation to children at moderate altitude. However, height did not differ significantly, with similar growth behavior at ages 6 to 11. Conclusions: These findings suggest that moderate altitude hypoxic stress does not affect stature growth in Arequipa’s (2 320 m.a.s.l.) school children. Children at sea level had a tendency to overweight and obesity.

Valoración de la aptitud física en niños y adolescentes: construcción de cartas percentílicas para la región central del Perú / Evaluation of physical fitness levels in children and adolescents: establishing percentile charts for the central region of Peru

Objetivos. Establecer cartas percentílicas y valores de referencia estratificada por edad y sexo de los niveles de aptitud física (AF) en niños y adolescentes de la región central del Perú. Materiales y métodos. El tamaño de la muestra comprendió a 7843 escolares (4155 mujeres y 3688 varones) entre los seis y los diecisiete años de edad. Los niveles de aptitud física fueron evaluados mediante el uso de seis pruebas motoras provenientes de las baterías EUROFIT, FITNESSGRAM y AAPHERD. Las cartas percentílicas fueron construidas por separado para cada sexo, utilizando el método matemático LMS implementado en el programa LMSchartmaker. Resultados. Se verifica valores superiores de AF en los varones, a excepción de la prueba de flexibilidad; la AF incrementa con la edad. Conclusiones. Existe variabilidad interindividual en ambos sexos. Los valores de referencia específicos por edad y sexo pueden utilizarse para la evaluación e interpretación de los niveles de AF de niños y adolescentes de la región central del Perú. Estos hallazgos pueden ayudar en la evaluación de programas de educación física en las escuelas.

Objectives. Construct percentile charts and physical fitness (PF) reference values stratified by age and sex of children and adolescents from Peru’s central region. Materials and methods. The sample was comprised of 7,843 subjects (4,155 females and 3,688 males) between the ages of 6 to 17 years old. Physical fitness was assessed using six tests developed by EUROFIT, FITNESSGRAM and AAPHERD. Percentile charts were developed separately for males and females using the LMS method calculated with LMSchartmaker software. Results. Males showed higher PF values with the exception of flexibility; a clear increase in PF with increasing age was verified. Conclusions. Inter-individual variability in both sexes is substantial. Charts and specific reference values by age and sex may be used for the assessment and interpretation of children’s and adolescents’ PF levels in Peru’s central region. These findings may be of help to educators, public health professionals, parents, and policy-makers when assessing schools’ physical education programs.