Physical Fitness Cut‐Points for Early Detection of Obesity Risk in Preschool Children
Authors' conclusion
This study provides fitness cut-points for detecting general and central obesity risk in preschoolers. Early integration of physical fitness assessments into health monitoring may facilitate early identification of obesity risk.
Study context
- Population
- Spanish preschool children aged 3–5 years (52.8% boys)
- Participants
- 3,179 children
- Exposure
- Cardiorespiratory fitness vs Muscular strength vs Speed-agility
- Outcome
- Fitness cut-points and their ability (ROC analysis) to detect general and central obesity risk (age- and sex-specific BMI and waist circumference percentiles, WHO and International Diabetes Foundation criteria)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Age- and sex-specific fitness cut-points for obesity risk
| Group | Cut-points, boys | Cut-points, girls | AUC range | Cut-points (z-scores), boys | Cut-points (z-scores), girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiorespiratory fitness | 9.5 to 23.5 laps | 6.5 to 21.5 | 0.61-0.74 | ||
| Muscular strength | 0.59-0.80 | −1.5 to 2.2 | −1.6 to 1.9 | ||
| Speed-agility | 18.8 to 14.9 s | 19.9 to 15.3 s | 0.49-0.71 |
Cut-points, boys
Cardiorespiratory fitness9.5 to 23.5 laps
Muscular strength— not stated in the abstract
Speed-agility18.8 to 14.9 s
Cut-points, girls
Cardiorespiratory fitness6.5 to 21.5
Muscular strength— not stated in the abstract
Speed-agility19.9 to 15.3 s
AUC range
Cardiorespiratory fitness0.61-0.74
Muscular strength0.59-0.80
Speed-agility0.49-0.71
Cut-points (z-scores), boys
Cardiorespiratory fitness— not stated in the abstract
Muscular strength−1.5 to 2.2
Speed-agility— not stated in the abstract
Cut-points (z-scores), girls
Cardiorespiratory fitness— not stated in the abstract
Muscular strength−1.6 to 1.9
Speed-agility— not stated in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Physical Fitness Cut‐Points for Early Detection of Obesity Risk in Preschool Children. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 7 March 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →