Abstract:
This Asia-Fit study focused on the physical index of adolescents from Singapore (SGP), providing an overall indication of living habits that may affect obesity levels.
PURPOSE: To compare physical activity (PA) levels and obesity rates among SGP adolescents.
METHODS: A total of 1648 adolescents from SGP ((age: 13.49 ± 1.21 years, height: 159.76 ± 8.94 cm, weight (WT): 51.98 ± 13.41 kg, body mass index: 20.21 ± 4.22 k•gm-2, body fat percentage (BF%): 21.54 ± 10.21 %)) participated in this study. A series of physical tests (15m youth Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) test, one-legged sit-and-reach (SRT), handgrip strength (HS) test, and 1-minute sit-up test (SUT)), a PA questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were collected from schools all over Singapore.
RESULTS: There were significant correlations between WT and BMI (WT: 51.98 ± 13.41 kg; BMI: 20.21 ± 4.22 k•gm-2; r = 0.90, p = 0.00), BMI and BF% (BMI: 20.21 ± 4.22 k•gm-2; BF%: 21.54 ± 10.21 %; r = 0.78, p = 0.00), vigorous exercise (VE) and moderate exercise (ME) (VE: 3.19 ± 2.07 days ; ME: 3.06 ± 2.06 days; r = 0.46, p = 0.00). Negative significant correlation was found between VE and WT (3.19 ± 2.07 days; WT: 51.98 ± 13.41 kg; r = -0.06, p = 0.03). No significant correlation was observed between ME and BMI (3.06 ± 2.06 days; 20.21 ± 4.22 k•gm-2; r = -0.04, p = 0.13), VE and BF% (VE: 3.19 ± 2.07 days; BF%: 21.54 ± 10.21 %; r = -0.04, p = 0.09). 89.5% adolescents participated in ME (3.06 ± 2.06 days), 10.5% did not indicate participation. 70.7% adolescents participated in VE (3.19 ± 2.07 days), 12.1% did not indicate participation. 2.8% adolescents adhered to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)’s recommendation of 60 minutes of PA daily. A slightly higher percentage of adolescents sat for more than 8 hours daily (48.9%) than adolescents who sat for 1 to 8 hours daily (43.0%). 9.1% of adolescents did not report their sedentary duration.
CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that Singapore adolescents are active and should continue regular PA as it effects BMI. Lifestyle changes of active behavior as opposed to prolong siting is important as pre-pubertal obesity may predict adult obesity. Singapore adolescents need to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes a well-balanced diet, with less sitting time and regular PA to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.
Copyright © 2020 by the American College of Sports Medicine
If you want to find the original abstract, please click the link below: