Asociación entre el estado nutricional y las capacidades físicas en niños de 6 a 18 años de Medellín (Colombia) / Association between nutritional status and physical abilities in children aged 6 to 18 years in Medellin (Colombia)

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las alteraciones nutricionales en la niñez pueden producir un deterioro en las capacidades físicas y una mayor morbimortalidad en la vida adulta. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la asociación entre el estado nutricional y las capacidades físicas MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal que incluyó 12.872 niños, con edades entre 6 y 18 años, a quienes se les realizó una evaluación clínica y diferentes pruebas físicas. RESULTADOS: Entre los niños incluidos, el 66% tenían un estadio de maduración Tanner 1 y 2, el 6% presentó desnutrición y 12,2% estaban en riesgo de sobrepeso y obesidad. Los niños con obesidad presentaron una disminución en la potencia aeróbica (en 2,72 ml O2 kg-1·min-1; IC 95%: 1,89- 3,56; p < 0,001), velocidad (0,14 m·s; IC 95%: 0,06-0,22; p < 0,001), fuerza explosiva (0,10 m; IC 95%: 0,06-0,13; p < 0,001), agilidad, resistencia a la fuerza y equilibrio. Los niños con desnutrición presentaron disminución en la velocidad (0,13 m·s; IC 95%: 0,06-0,20; p < 0,001), fuerza explosiva (0,04 m; IC 95%: 0,01-0,07; p < 0,004) y resistencia a la fuerza. CONCLUSIONES: Se observó una asociación entre el estado nutricional y las capacidades físicas. Los niños con obesidad presentaron los peores resultados en las pruebas físicas, mientras que aquellos con desnutrición tuvieron una disminución en la velocidad, en la fuerza explosiva y en la resistencia a la fuerza

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional disorders in childhood may cause a decline in motor abilities and increased morbidity and mortality in adulthood. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between nutritional status and motor abilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed that included 12,872 children aged between 6 and 18 years who underwent a clinical evaluation and various physical tests. RESULTS: Among the children, 66% had a Tanner maturation stage 1 and 2, 6% were undernourished, and 12.2% were at risk of overweight and obesity. The obese children had a decrease in aerobic power (in 2.72 mL O2 kg-1·min-1; 95% CI: 1.89 to 3.56; P < .001), speed (0.14 m·sec; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.22; P < .001), explosive strength (0.10 m; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.13; P < .001), agility, strength endurance and balance. Under-nourished children showed a decrease in speed (0.13 m·sec; 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.20; P < .001), explosive strength (0.04 m; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0 07; P < .004), and strength endurance. CONCLUSIONS: There was an association between nutritional status and motor abilities in the children included in this study. Obese children showed the worst results in physical tests, and the under-nourished ones showed a decrease in speed, explosive strength and strength endurance

[Association between nutritional status and physical abilities in children aged 6 to 18 years in Medellin (Colombia)]. / Asociación entre el estado nutricional y las capacidades físicas en niños de 6 a 18 años de Medellín (Colombia).

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional disorders in childhood may cause a decline in motor abilities and increased morbidity and mortality in adulthood. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between nutritional status and motor abilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed that included 12,872 children aged between 6 and 18 years who underwent a clinical evaluation and various physical tests. RESULTS: Among the children, 66% had a Tanner maturation stage 1 and 2, 6% were under-nourished, and 12.2% were at risk of overweight and obesity. The obese children had a decrease in aerobic power (in 2.72 mL O2 kg(-1)·min(-1); 95%CI: 1.89 to 3.56; P<.001), speed (0.14m·sec; 95%CI: 0.06 to 0.22; P<.001), explosive strength (0.10 m; 95%CI: 0.06 to 0.13; P<.001), agility, strength endurance and balance. Under-nourished children showed a decrease in speed (0.13 m·sec; 95%CI: 0.06 to 0.20; P<.001), explosive strength (0.04 m; 95%CI: 0.01 to 0 07; P<.004), and strength endurance. CONCLUSIONS: There was an association between nutritional status and motor abilities in the children included in this study. Obese children showed the worst results in physical tests, and the under-nourished ones showed a decrease in speed, explosive strength and strength endurance.