Lesser IA^1,, Fowokan AO¹, Punthakee Z², Lear SA^{1, 3}

Childhood obesity is associated with many health complications. In the South Asian population this may have an especially devastating impact due to the unique obesity phenotype of high abdominal fat and low lean body mass at a given body size which lends itself to greater disease risk at a younger age. OBJECTIVES: It is unknown what is responsible for this high risk phenotype but physical fitness levels are associated with body fatness and South Asian children report lower levels of physical fitness than their European peers. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive study is to assess the associations between obesity related measures and physical fitness in South Asian children. METHODS: Forty-five boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 10 completed measures of physical fitness for the assessment of upper and lower body strength and aerobic capacity as well as obesity related measures. RESULTS: South Asian boys and girls showed positive associations between obesity related measures and grip strength and negative associations with standing long jump and aerobic fitness. CONCLUSION: Physical fitness and specifically aerobic fitness should be emphasized among South Asian children. This is especially relevant as South Asian children report objectively lower levels of physical activity than their European peers.

South Asian, children, physical fitness, body composition