The Relationship between Body Composition and Physical Fitness and the Effect of Exercise According to the Level of Childhood Obesity Using the MGPA Model

Chae Kwan Lee, Young Kyun Sim, Jae-Hoon Lee, Jang Soo Yook, Soo-Min Ha, Eun Chul Seo, Wi-Young So, Hyun Ryun Kim, Woo-Min Jeong, Bong Oh Goo, Jin-Wook Chung and Min-Seong Ha
Additional contact information
Chae Kwan Lee: Department of Physical Therapy, Catholic University of Pusan, 57 Oryundae-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46252, Korea
Young Kyun Sim: Department of International Sports, Dankook University, 119 Dandae-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si 31116, Korea
Jae-Hoon Lee: Department of Sports Science, University of Seoul, 163 Seoulsiripdae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02504, Korea
Jang Soo Yook: Center for Functional Connectomics, Brain Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), 5 Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02792, Korea
Soo-Min Ha: Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, Department of Physical Education, Pusan National University, 2 Busandaehak-ro 63beon-gil, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46241, Korea
Eun Chul Seo: Department of Physical Education, Wonkwang University, 460 Iksan-daro, Iksan 54538, Korea
Wi-Young So: Sports Medicine Major, College of Humanities and Arts, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju 27469, Korea
Hyun Ryun Kim: Department of Physical Education, Woosuk University, 443 Samnye-ro, Samnye-eup, Wanju-gun 55338, Korea
Woo-Min Jeong: WellCare Korea Co., Ltd., 26 Wadong-ro, Danwon-gu, Ansan-si 15265, Korea
Bong Oh Goo: Department of Physical Therapy, Catholic University of Pusan, 57 Oryundae-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 46252, Korea
Jin-Wook Chung: Department of Sports Culture, College of the Arts, Dongguk University, 30 Pildong-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Korea
Min-Seong Ha: Department of Sports Culture, College of the Arts, Dongguk University, 30 Pildong-ro 1-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04620, Korea

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 1, 1-19

Abstract: Childhood obesity can lead to adulthood obesity with adverse effects. Since body composition and physical fitness differ depending on the obesity degree, a systemic analysis could help classify that degree. We used three study designs based on the obesity degree (body mass index [BMI] as a reference) for our objectives. First, we identified the relationship between body composition and physical fitness. Second, we determined the effects of exercise on body composition and physical fitness. Third, we performed a path analysis of the impact of exercise on body composition and physical fitness, and verified those effects among the groups. In study 1, 164 10-year-old subjects were divided into four groups: 33 in the normal weight (NO), 34 in overweight (OV), 54 in obesity (OB), and 43 in the severe obesity (SOB) group. In study 2, 101 participants from study 1 who wished to participate in the exercise program were divided into four groups (same criteria). The exercise program (three times a week for 60 min, for 16 weeks) consisted of sports and reinforcement exercises of increasing intensity. Body composition was measured by body weight, percentage of body fat (%BF), muscle mass, skeletal muscle mass (SMM), and body mass index (BMI). In contrast, physical fitness was measured by muscular strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, agility, and balance. As a result, all body composition variables were higher in the SOB group than in the other groups. Physical fitness, muscular strength and balance, and agility were highest in the SOB, NO, and OV groups, respectively. Pearson’s correlation revealed that muscular strength was associated with height and body weight across all groups. Agility showed a negative correlation with %BF in the NO, OB, and SOB groups. SMM was positively correlated in the OB and SOB groups. After the exercise intervention, BMI and the %BF of the SOB group were significantly reduced ( p < 0.01, and p < 0.001, respectively), while SMM presented a significant increase ( p < 0.001). Height also showed a significant increase in all groups ( p < 0.001). Among physical fitness variables, muscular strength, flexibility, muscular endurance, and balance showed a significant increase in all groups, while a significant increase in power was observed in only the OB and SOB groups. As for the effects of the body composition on physical fitness after exercise intervention, the greatest impact was observed for balance, muscular strength and agility, and muscular endurance in NO, OV, and OB groups, respectively. In conclusion, the body composition, physical fitness relationship, and the effects of exercise intervention on them differed depending on the obesity degree. Furthermore, the results varied according to the obesity degree. Thus, our study highlights the importance of creating particular exercise programs for the effective prevention and treatment of childhood obesity considering the obesity degree.

Keywords: body composition; physical fitness; childhood obesity; exercise MGPA analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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