Differences Between Health- and Skill-Related Physical Fitness Profiles of Kenyan Children from Urban and Rural Areas: The Kenya-LINX Project

Stanley Kagunda Kinuthia (), Gareth Stratton, Lucy Joy Wachira, Victor Okoth, George Evans Owino, Sophie Ochola, Amie Bethan Richards, Festus Kiplamai, Vincent Onywera and Nils Swindell
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Stanley Kagunda Kinuthia: Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Science, Kenyatta University, Nairobi P.O. Box 43844-00100, Kenya
Gareth Stratton: Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
Lucy Joy Wachira: Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Science, Kenyatta University, Nairobi P.O. Box 43844-00100, Kenya
Victor Okoth: Department of Environmental Science and Education, Kenyatta University, Nairobi P.O. Box 43844-00100, Kenya
George Evans Owino: African Population and Health Research Centre, Kitisuru, Manga Close, Kirawa Road, Nairobi P.O. Box 10787-00100, Kenya
Sophie Ochola: Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta University, Nairobi P.O. Box 43844-00100, Kenya
Amie Bethan Richards: Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK
Festus Kiplamai: Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Science, Kenyatta University, Nairobi P.O. Box 43844-00100, Kenya
Vincent Onywera: Division of Research, Innovation and Outreach, KCA University, Nairobi P.O. Box 56808-00200, Kenya
Nils Swindell: Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 4, 1-16

Abstract: Physical fitness is a key indicator of children’s health, yet amidst rising inactivity and obesity, data on Kenyan children are scarce. This study assessed health- and skill-related fitness differences between rural and urban Kenyan children while examining demographic influences. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), BMI, strength, flexibility, speed, agility, and coordination were assessed in 1131 children aged 11.07 ± 0.9 years (52.7% girls) recruited using stratified cluster random sampling. Significant rural–urban disparities were observed. In urban areas, 16.6% were overweight and 2.8% obese, compared to 4% and 0.6% in rural areas ( p < 0.001). Conversely, 44.5% of the rural cohort were underweight versus 13.7% urban cohort ( p < 0.001). Multivariable regression revealed that rural children demonstrated superior CRF (β = −4.68 laps, p < 0.001) and lower back flexibility (β = −2.77 cm, p < 0.001), while urban children excelled in speed and coordination (β = 3.68 bounces, p < 0.001) and grip strength (β = 2.16 kg, p < 0.001). Boys outperformed girls in explosive leg power (β = −6.75 cm, p < 0.001) and CRF (β = −6.92 laps, p < 0.001). These findings highlight fitness inequities among Kenyan children, emphasising the need for equitable, targeted, and inclusive physical activity opportunities.

Keywords: body mass index; cardiorespiratory fitness; health disparities; physical fitness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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