The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #42888

Augusto Rodriguez¹, Lorraine Killion¹, Jennifer Houser¹, Brian Sekula, PhD², and Norma Olvera, PhD². (1) Health & Human Performance Department, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, Room 112, Houston, TX 77204-6321, (2) Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, 3855 Holman Street, 104 Garrison Gymnasium, Houston, TX 77204-6321

PURPOSE: To assess body mass index, percentage of body fat, and cardiorespiratory (VO2 max) fitness in Anglo and Hispanic children. METHODS: The sample consisted of 193 children (89 boys; 104 girls) ranging in age from 9-12 years, with no physical disability, recruited from elementary and intermediate suburban schools. RESULTS: Using the NHANES guidelines that define overweight children as those with an age and gender specific body mass index > 85th percentile, 32% of the Anglo children were found to be overweight; while 49% Hispanic children were overweight. Chi-square analysis indicated that the proportion of Hispanic overweight children was significantly higher than that of Anglo children (÷21,1=5.69, p<0.01). Body fat percent was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Significant gender differences F1,192=10.55, p< 0.001) were found in body fat percentage, with boys (M=20.56 ± 9.81) having less than girls (M=25.33 ± 10.72). There were no ethnic differences in body composition (Anglos: M=22.45 ± 10.68 and Hispanic: M=23.83 ± 10.45). VO2 max (ml.kg.min-1) was estimated using the 20-meter shuttle run developed by Leger et al. (1988). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed no significant (p>.05) differences in fitness levels between Anglo (M=42.98 ± 3.22) and Hispanic children (M=42.51 ± 3.03). CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study indicate that Hispanic children are significantly more overweight and obese when compared to Anglo children; however, overweight status was not indicative of differences in fitness.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn about physical fitness of Anglo & Hispanic children.
• Participants will be able to identify ways to assess physical fitness levels of Hispanic and Anglo children.
• Participants will learn about ethnic differences of physical fitness between Anglo & Hispanic children.

Keywords: Latino Caucus, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.