Levels of Physical Fitness and Weight Status in Children and Adolescents: A Comparison between China and Japan

Yuqiang Li, Feng Zhang, Qi Chen, Xiaojian Yin, Cunjian Bi, Xiaofang Yang, Yi Sun, Ming Li, Ting Zhang, Yuan Liu, Tao Chen, Akira Suzuki and Satoshi Haneda
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Yuqiang Li: Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Feng Zhang: Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Qi Chen: Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Xiaojian Yin: Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Cunjian Bi: Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Xiaofang Yang: Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Yi Sun: Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Ming Li: Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Ting Zhang: Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Yuan Liu: Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
Tao Chen: Sport and Health Research Center, Department of Physical Education, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
Akira Suzuki: Department of Sport Science, Daito Bunka University, Tokyo 355-8501, Japan
Satoshi Haneda: Department of Sport Science, Daito Bunka University, Tokyo 355-8501, Japan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-11

Abstract: This study compared the physical fitness level and weight status of children and adolescents in China and Japan. Children and adolescents aged 7–18 years were recruited (China: n = 5660; Japan: n = 5660). Physical fitness was assessed using seven core items—grip strength, 30-s sit-ups, standing long jump, sit-and-reach, 20-s repeated straddling, 20-m shuttle run test, and 50-m dash. A physical fitness index (PFI) was calculated by adding all items’ Z -scores. We conducted comparisons of PFI and its distribution, each physical fitness item, and weight status for individuals from China and Japan across all ages. The PFI was lower in China than in Japan for all age groups, with an especially large difference at age 18 years for boys (a difference of 9.05) and girls (a difference of 9.10) ( p < 0.001). The same result was seen for the seven items. The PFI distribution for children and adolescents was more disperse among those in Japan than among those in China. Obesity prevalence was 2.84 times higher in China than in Japan. An inverted U-shaped relationship was observed between physical fitness and nutritional status. Children and adolescents showed markedly lower physical fitness and higher obesity prevalence in China than in Japan.

Keywords: physical fitness; child; adolescent; nutritional status; China; Japan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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