Back to Search Start Over

Are eating habits associated with physical fitness in primary school children?

Authors :
Thivel D
Aucouturier J
Isacco L
Lazaar N
Ratel S
Doré E
Meyer M
Duché P
Source :
Eating behaviors [Eat Behav] 2013 Jan; Vol. 14 (1), pp. 83-6. Date of Electronic Publication: 2012 Nov 28.
Publication Year :
2013

Abstract

Objective: Children's eating habits have mainly been related to anthropometric characteristics but less is known about their association with physical fitness.<br />Methods: 278 French school children (131 boys and 147 girls) filled in eating habit questionnaires and completed anthropometric measurement (weight, height, skinfolds) and physical fitness tests. The 20-m Shuttle run test and the Squat Jump test were used to assess aerobic fitness and anaerobic (lower limb muscle power) fitness respectively.<br />Results: Breakfast consumption was associated with both aerobic fitness (p<0.05) and lower limb muscle power (p<0.01) while snacking was negatively related to Squat Jump performances (p<0.05). There was no association between physical fitness and either the type of the consumed-beverages or TV watching during dinner and lunch meals. Cumulated unhealthy eating habits was negatively associated with CRF stages and lower limb muscle power performances (p<0.05).<br />Conclusion: French primary school children physical fitness is associated with their eating habits and decreases with the number of unhealthy eating behaviors cumulated.<br /> (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1873-7358
Volume :
14
Issue :
1
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Eating behaviors
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
23265408
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2012.11.002