Nutritional status, physical activity level, waist circumference, and flexibility in brazilian boys

Resumen

This study examined the relationships between nutritional status, physical activity, waist circumference, and fl exibility in boys. The sample comprised 74 boys (11,8 years old, SD= 1,6). The following were measured: body weight, height, waist circumference, physical activity, body fat (bioelectrical impedance) and fl exibility. Body fat percentage was calculated, and the children were classifi ed as well nourished (G1), overweight (G2), or obese (G3) according to the age and sex adjusted cutoffs described by Taylor et al.18. The statistical procedures adopted were: mean, standard deviation, analysis of variance, chi-square test, linear correlation and binary logistic regression. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. There was a statistical difference between G3 and G1 in flexibility scores (p = 0.048). Obese and inactive boys were more than twice as likely to exhibit a poor flexibility score than well nourished and active boys, respectively (odds ratio= 2.9; p = 0.046, and 5.1; p = 0.047, respectively). This study identifi ed the existence of relationship and association between obesity, physical inactivity and poor performance in fl exibility test.