Obesity and Physical Fitness among Moscow Schoolchildren: 6-years Follow-up

Aim: To assess study the prevalence of obesity and physical fitness among Moscow schoolchildren.
Subjects and Methods: During the 2004-5, 2007-8, and 2010-11 school years, about 20% of Moscow schoolchildren were studied in all districts of the town. Both anthropometric and physical fitness data were collected. Obesity was determined according to international recommendations, observed physical fitness in accordance with national norms.
Results: During the observation period the number of schoolchildren with obesity increased 1.5 times and reached about 20%. Obesity was observed 1.6 times more frequently in boys than in girls. In the 2004-5 school years a total of 66% of boys and 58% of girls undertook vigorous physical fitness. By the 2010-11 school years the number of schoolchildren undertaking vigorous physical fitness had decreased by 10%. The number of boys undertaking vigorous physical fitness was 1.8 times lower in the obesity group than in the normal weight group. The corresponding difference for girls was 1.4 times.
Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest an increase in the prevalence of obesity among Moscow schoolchildren which could be attributed to their low level of physical fitness.