Version 1
: Received: 30 October 2024 / Approved: 31 October 2024 / Online: 31 October 2024 (08:42:45 CET)
How to cite:
Vásquez, F.; Salazar, G.; Vasquez, S.; Torres, J. Association Between Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Health in Chilean Schoolchildren from the Metropolitan Region. Preprints2024, 2024102502. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.2502.v1
Vásquez, F.; Salazar, G.; Vasquez, S.; Torres, J. Association Between Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Health in Chilean Schoolchildren from the Metropolitan Region. Preprints 2024, 2024102502. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.2502.v1
Vásquez, F.; Salazar, G.; Vasquez, S.; Torres, J. Association Between Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Health in Chilean Schoolchildren from the Metropolitan Region. Preprints2024, 2024102502. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.2502.v1
APA Style
Vásquez, F., Salazar, G., Vasquez, S., & Torres, J. (2024). Association Between Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Health in Chilean Schoolchildren from the Metropolitan Region. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.2502.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Vásquez, F., Sofia Vasquez and Jorge Torres. 2024 "Association Between Physical Fitness and Cardiovascular Health in Chilean Schoolchildren from the Metropolitan Region" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202410.2502.v1
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular diseases increasingly impact youth, with early development of risk factors such as obesity, hypertension, and inadequate nutrient intake. Proper nutrient intake and physical fitness are vital for reducing these risks, especially in pediatric populations. This study explores the connection between physical fitness, metabolic risk, and nutrient status among 1656 Chilean schoolchildren from diverse so-cio-economic backgrounds. Methods: Anthropometric measures included weight, height, skinfold thickness, waist circumference, and blood pressure. Physical fitness was assessed via handgrip strength, standing long jump, and a six-minute walk test. Nutrient intake was also evaluated, and a composite metabolic risk score was calculated based on waist circumference, skinfolds, and blood pressure. Results: Children from public schools exhibited higher obesity rates and waist circumferences than those from private schools. Physical fitness performance was strongly linked to cardiovascular health indicators: better fitness correlated with smaller waist circumferences, lower skinfold measurements, and healthier blood pressure levels. Children from private schools had better fitness test outcomes, indicating socio-economic disparities in access to physical activity and nutrient resources. Students with lower fitness and nutrient intake had higher metabolic risk scores, pointing to increased cardiovascular risk. Conclusions: Nutrient intake and physical fitness are essential to reducing cardiovascular risk in children. Significant differences in nutrient intake and fitness levels across socio-economic lines suggest that equal access to nutrition and physical activity programs in schools could benefit public health outcomes. Further research should investigate the lasting effects of nutri-ent-focused interventions on childhood metabolic health.
Keywords
Schoolchildren; physical fitness; cardiovascular health
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Public Health and Health Services
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
