Aerobic fitness is significantly inversely related to VAT, but subcutaneous body fatness is the single strongest determinant of VAT in children aged 13-14 y.

The equations developed in this study can be used to assess the percentage of body fat of Mexican schoolchildren and adolescents, as they demonstrate greater validity and lower error compared with previously published equations.

In this sample of Mexican schoolchildren, TBF and SAF, but not IAF, were associated with higher cardiometabolic risk.

Objective: To estimate the physical activity level among Mexican adults and to establish the sociodemographic variables that may be linked to active lifestyles. Design: Data from a cross-sectional survey were analysed. Physical activity was assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The independent variables were sex, age, socio-economic status and size of town. Ordinal regression models were fitted to assess the association of physical activity levels with sociodemographic factors. Setting: Fieldwork was conducted from November 2002 through April 2003; the non-response rate was 3?1 %. Subjects: Data from a national representative sample (n 38 746) of Mexican adults aged .18 years old were analysed. Results: Almost 60 % of the population was classified into the high physical activity level. Women were less active than men in rural areas; in urban areas, the opposite trend was observed. In women, higher socio-economic status was associated with less physical activity, while among men there were no differences. People from rural and urban areas had a higher probability of engaging in physical activity than those from cities. In urban localities and cities, respondents of low socio-economic status had a lower probability of engaging in physical activity. Conclusions: Using a validated instrument to measure physical activity, we found that the prevalence of active lifestyle among Mexican adults was high. The socioeconomic and gender inequalities are different according to size of town (i.e. an effect modifier), which must be considered in the design of policies and programmes to promote physical activity.

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