Nutritional and physical fitness differences in children and adolescents from diverse socio-economic backgrounds  (Diferencias nutricionales y de condición física en niños y adolescentes de contextos  socioeconómicos diferenciados)

Sonia García-Merino; Rosa-María Rodríguez-Jiménez; Álvaro Bustamante-Sánchez; Silvia Burgos-Postigo

doi:10.47197/retos.v44i0.89641

Authors

Sonia García-Merino Universidad Francisco de Vitoria
Rosa-María Rodríguez-Jiménez School of Engineering, Architecture and Design, STEAM, Universidad Europea de Madrid http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0467-2886
Álvaro Bustamante-Sánchez Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid
Silvia Burgos-Postigo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v44i0.89641

Keywords:

Physical activity; lifestyle; body composition; nutrition; children; social differences, [Actividad física; estilo de vida; composición corporal; nutrición; niños; diferencias sociales]

Abstract

Lifestyle affects the health of children and adolescents, especially those living with socio-economic disadvantages. The purpose of this study was to evaluate nutritional status, level of fitness, and diet in children and adolescents from different socio-economic environments. To evaluate nutritional status and nutritional habits, Body Mass Index Z-score, Waist-to-Height Index and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index, were chosen. To measure physical fitness, Eurofit battery was used. Participants were 290 healthy children and adolescents of two groups. Group 1 (78) was part of a social integration project through sport; group 2 (212) belonged to a private school with a high socio-economic status. Differences between groups were found in the nutritional status and physical fitness tests. There were no differences in the total score of the Kid Med Test (p=.42), but data suggested a better quality of food consumption in group 2. Even though both groups exhibited healthy values, results were slightly more favorable for speed of movement and flexibility (p<.05), and for diet habits (better intake of olive oil, less sweet consumption, p < .05) in the group 2. The study, even with limitations, shows that there is still room for equal opportunities in promoting the quality of life of young people.

Resumen: El estilo de vida afecta a la salud de los niños y adolescentes, especialmente a los que viven en riesgo de exclusión social y económica. El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar el estatus nutricional, el nivel de condición física y la dieta en niños y adolescentes de diferentes entornos socioeconómicos. Para evaluar el estatus nutricional y los hábitos nutricionales, se eligió el índice de masa corporal z-score, el índice cintura-estatura y el índice de calidad de la dieta mediterránea. Para medir la aptitud física, se utilizó la batería Eurofit. Los participantes fueron 290 niños y adolescentes sanos de dos grupos. El grupo 1 (78) formaba parte de un proyecto de integración social a través del deporte; el grupo 2 (212) pertenecía a un colegio privado de alto nivel socioeconómico. Se encontraron diferencias entre los grupos en las pruebas de estatus nutricional y de aptitud física. No hubo diferencias en la puntuación total del Kid Med Test (p=.42), pero los datos sugirieron una mejor calidad del consumo de alimentos en el grupo 2. Aunque ambos grupos presentaban valores saludables, el grupo 2 obtuvo mejores resultados en la velocidad de movimiento y la flexibilidad (p<.05), y en los hábitos dietéticos (mejor consumo de aceite de oliva, menos consumo de dulces, p <.05). El estudio, aun con limitaciones, muestra que todavía hay espacio para la igualdad de oportunidades en la promoción de la calidad de vida de los jóvenes.

Author Biography

Rosa-María Rodríguez-Jiménez , School of Engineering, Architecture and Design, STEAM, Universidad Europea de Madrid

Rosa-María Rodríguez-Jiménez is a full professor (25 years of experience) and research senior at the School of Architecture, Engineering and Design at the Universidad Europea. She holds a MSc degree in Physics (1991) and a PhD on Physics of the Atmosphere (1997, UCM). She also holds a MSc degree in Psychology (2016, UEM) and in Education for Special Needs (2005, UPS). Additionally, she holds a Master in Dance Movement Therapy, DMT (2007, UAB). She has participated in research projects focused on educational innovation, experiential learning and development and evaluation of soft skills in high school and university students. Her current research interest is on embodiment and non-verbal processes applied to well-being and personal growth. She has also clinical experience with children, development disorders and eating disorders. She is Spanish Delegate for the European Association of DMT and reviewer of the journals Body, Dance and Movement in Psychotherapy and Journal of Technology and Science Education.

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