Geographic and ethnic inequalities in total and central obesity, and physical fitness among preschool children: Insights from the PREFIT project
Authors' conclusion
This study highlights significant physical health inequalities among preschoolers based on geographical factors and ethnic backgrounds. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies to address socioeconomic and environmental determinants of early-life health disparities.
Study context
- Population
- Preschoolers in Spain (4.6 ± 0.9y, 52.8% boys); geographic factors from school setting, ethnicity by parental self-report
- Participants
- 3,179 participants
- Exposure
- Preschoolers by geographic factors and ethnicity
- Outcome
- Total and central obesity and physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, speed-agility, balance), PREFIT battery
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Total and central obesity and physical fitness by geography and ethnicity
- Southern vs northern: higher total obesity, lower cardiorespiratory fitness and lower-limb muscular strength (p ≤ 0.017)
- Southern vs northern: greater upper-limb muscular strength and balance (p < 0.001)
- Rural vs urban: higher central obesity but better fitness performance (p ≤ 0.004)
- White and African vs Latin: lower total and central obesity (p ≤ 0.003)
- White and African vs Asian or Latin: better upper-limb muscular strength and speed-agility (p ≤ 0.037)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Geographic and ethnic inequalities in total and central obesity, and physical fitness among preschool children: Insights from the PREFIT project. Pediatr Obes. Published 13 May 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →