[Physical fitness levels in French adolescents: The BOUGE program]. / Condition physique des enfants et adolescents en France de 2009 à 2013 et prévalence du risque de maladie cardiovasculaire à l'âge adulte - le programme « Bouge Une priorité pour ta santé ¼.

BACKGROUND: A high level of physical fitness is associated with cardiovascular health in adolescents. The aims of this study were to assess the levels of physical fitness of French adolescents and to determine the prevalence of these adolescents below the minimum level of cardiorespiratory fitness needed to guarantee future favorable cardiovascular profile. METHODS: Participants were 12,082 French children and adolescents (5975 boys, 6107 girls) aged to 9 from 16 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, speed, flexibility and speed agility were tested. The associations of physical fitness measures with adolescent's characteristics were analyzed using Student t test, one-way ANOVA, or Pearson correlations as appropriate. RESULTS: Boys were physically fitter than girls, expected for flexibility (P<0.0001). Subjects of normal weight adolescents had significantly better results than overweight or obese adolescents (P<0.05 for all comparisons), but also in comparison with underweight adolescents for muscular endurance, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness test (P<0.05). Our findings indicate that, on the basis of cardiorespiratory fitness, 16% of French boys and 7.7% of French girls have a risk of future cardiovascular disease (P<0.0001). This subgroup also performed poorly in all other tests of physical fitness used (P<0.0001). Aerobic fitness decreased significantly with the age (r=-0.168 for boys; r=-0.261 for girls). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the physical fitness of French adolescents must be improved to help protect against cardiovascular disease in adulthood, especially in boys. The study showed also a dramatically decrease of the cardiorespiratory fitness during the adolescence period. Developing and introducing a health promotion curriculum in the French schools is suggested to improve health and physical fitness.

Relationship between sleep habits, anthropometric characteristics and lifestyle habits in adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

The aim was to explore the relationship between sleep habits and overweight/obesity, physical activity and sedentary behaviours in French adolescents with intellectual disabilities. This observational study was conducted on 535 French adolescents with intellectual deficiency. Sleep habits were analyzed and related to anthropometric measures, physical activity and sedentary behaviours. The study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Adolescents completed the questionnaire during an interview with the principle investigator. Sleep timing behaviour was classified into 4 sleep patterns: Early-bed/Early-rise, Early-bed/Late-rise, Late-bed/Late-rise, and Late-bed/Early-rise. Of 573 eligible participants, 125 were excluded because of missing data on age, weight or height. The number of participants identified in each of the four sleep patterns was as follows: Early-bed/Early-rise, N=59 (15.4%), Early-bed/Late-rise, N=164 (43%), Late-bed/Early-rise, N=56 (15%), Late-bed/Late-rise N=102 (27%). Adolescents who woke up early were more active than those from the late rise group (p<0.001). The number of adolescents who are sedentary was higher in late rise vs. early rise subjects (p<0.001). Subjects in the late-bed group were more likely overweight and obese (p<0.05). Results suggest that sleep behaviour was associated with overweight/obesity, physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adolescents with intellectual deficiency. Sleep behaviours should be considered in planning health promotion strategies.

Changes in obesity, cardiorespiratory fitness and habitual physical activity following a one-year intervention program in obese youth: a pilot study.

AIM: The aim To assess the effects of a unique twelve month program of physical activity and health education on body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity habits in obese youth. METHODS: Thirty-seven physician referred subjects, nineteen girls (12.7 ± 3.1 years) and eighteen boys (12.2 ± 2.8 years) participated in the study. Treatment consisted of a unique program of physical activity that emphasized playing games. Activity sessions were offered one time per week, two hours each session, for twelve months. A two hour health education class was provided every 3 months. Weight, height, Body Mass Index, cardiorespiratory fitness and habitual physical activity were measured. RESULTS: Findings of the study demonstrated a significant improvement in body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness (P<0.001), and habitual physical activity (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Results of the pilot study were favorable in addressing serious health issues in young obese boys and girls.