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Levels of Physical Fitness and Weight Status in Children and Adolescents: A Comparison between China and Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Yuqiang Li

    (Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Feng Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Qi Chen

    (Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Xiaojian Yin

    (Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China)

  • Cunjian Bi

    (Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Xiaofang Yang

    (Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Yi Sun

    (Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Ming Li

    (Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Ting Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Yuan Liu

    (Key Laboratory of Adolescent Health Assessment and Exercise Intervention of the Ministry of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Tao Chen

    (Sport and Health Research Center, Department of Physical Education, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Akira Suzuki

    (Department of Sport Science, Daito Bunka University, Tokyo 355-8501, Japan)

  • Satoshi Haneda

    (Department of Sport Science, Daito Bunka University, Tokyo 355-8501, Japan)

Abstract

This study compared the physical fitness level and weight status of children and adolescents in China and Japan. Children and adolescents aged 7–18 years were recruited (China: n = 5660; Japan: n = 5660). Physical fitness was assessed using seven core items—grip strength, 30-s sit-ups, standing long jump, sit-and-reach, 20-s repeated straddling, 20-m shuttle run test, and 50-m dash. A physical fitness index (PFI) was calculated by adding all items’ Z -scores. We conducted comparisons of PFI and its distribution, each physical fitness item, and weight status for individuals from China and Japan across all ages. The PFI was lower in China than in Japan for all age groups, with an especially large difference at age 18 years for boys (a difference of 9.05) and girls (a difference of 9.10) ( p < 0.001). The same result was seen for the seven items. The PFI distribution for children and adolescents was more disperse among those in Japan than among those in China. Obesity prevalence was 2.84 times higher in China than in Japan. An inverted U-shaped relationship was observed between physical fitness and nutritional status. Children and adolescents showed markedly lower physical fitness and higher obesity prevalence in China than in Japan.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuqiang Li & Feng Zhang & Qi Chen & Xiaojian Yin & Cunjian Bi & Xiaofang Yang & Yi Sun & Ming Li & Ting Zhang & Yuan Liu & Tao Chen & Akira Suzuki & Satoshi Haneda, 2020. "Levels of Physical Fitness and Weight Status in Children and Adolescents: A Comparison between China and Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9569-:d:465800
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emilio Villa-González & Jonatan R. Ruiz & Palma Chillón, 2015. "Associations between Active Commuting to School and Health-Related Physical Fitness in Spanish School-Aged Children: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-12, August.
    2. Xiaofang Yang & Xiaojian Yin & Liu Ji & Ge Song & Huipan Wu & Yuqiang Li & Guodong Wang & Cunjian Bi & Yi Sun & Ming Li & Ting Zhang & Hiroshi Kato & Akira Suzuki, 2019. "Differences in Cardiorespiratory Fitness between Chinese and Japanese Children and Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-13, June.
    3. Emmanuel Bonney & Gillian Ferguson & Bouwien Smits-Engelsman, 2018. "Relationship between Body Mass Index, Cardiorespiratory and Musculoskeletal Fitness among South African Adolescent Girls," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-12, May.
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