title: Association between obesity and various parameters of physical fitness in Korean students.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the types of obesity classified according to the body mass index (BMI) and/or waist circumference (WC) and the various parameters of physical fitness in Korean college students. BMI, WC, and fitness assessments were performed on 726 male college student volunteers who visited a public health center in Seoul, Korea. Classification based on BMI and/or WC was established according to the data in the WHO's Asia-Pacific standard report, and the subjects were divided into the following 4 groups: (1) obese as determined by BMI, but not WC (BMI Obesity Group, BOG); (2) obese as determined by WC, but not BMI (WC Obesity Group, WOG); (3) obese as determined by both BMI and WC (BWOG); and (4) non-obese normal group (NG). Fitness assessment parameters such as cardiorespiratory endurance, cardiovascular function, muscular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, power, agility, and balance were evaluated through the following measurements: time required to run 1.5 km, physical efficiency index (PEI), vital capacity (ℓ), push-ups (reps/2 min), sit-ups (reps/2 min), back strength (kg), grip strength (kg), sit and reach distance (cm), vertical jumps (cm), whole body reaction time (ms), side steps (reps/30 s), and maximum time of standing on 1 foot with closed eyes (s). The odds ratios (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of the BOG and WOG for the 1.5-km run were 0.367 (0.192-0.701) and 0.168 (0.037-0.773), respectively; of the BWOG and WOG for vital capacity were 5.900 (1.298-26.827) and 5.364 (1.166-24.670), respectively; of the BOG for push-ups was 0.517 (0.279-0.959); of the WOG for back strength was 0.206 (0.045-0.945); of the BWOG and BOG for grip strength were 5.973 (1.314-27.157) and 2.036 (1.089-3.807), respectively; and of the BOG for the whole body reaction time was 0.405 (0.212-0.774), as compared to the NG. We conclude that all 3 types of obesity (classified into the BWOG, BOG, and WOG) result in reduced cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance, but increased muscular strength and vital capacity.
authors: Department of Physical Education, Korea Military Academy, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jae-Woo
authors: JW
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Social Athletics, Dongguk University, Gyeong-Ju, Korea.
authors: Dong-Il
authors: DI
authors: Seo
authors: Department of Human Performance & Leisure Studies, North Carolina A&T State University, USA.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Swearingin
authors: Seoul Women's University, Department of Human Movement Science, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address:wowso@snu.ac.kr.
authors: Wi-Young
authors: WY
authors: So
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002319:Cardiovascular System; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000503:physiopathology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011930:Reaction Time; D056910:Republic of Korea; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055105:Waist Circumference; D055815:Young Adult