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Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of body mass index in physical fitness and physical activity in adolescents. A total of 426 adolescents aged from 10 to 17 years performed physical fitness battery tests, filled in a physical activity questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were completed. A total of 24.5% adolescents are overweight or obese. From General Linear Model test, statistically significant differences (p=0.000) were found between body mass index groups for all physical fitness tests with exception of the flexibility and upper body strength tests. A significant negative Spearman's correlation r = -0.016 (p ≤ 0.05) was found, suggesting that adolescents with a small amount of weekly physical activity level reveal the greatest body mass index percentiles. The overweight or obese condition significantly affects the adolescent's performance during the physical fitness tests. About 39% of adolescents reported no physical activity outside school. Inactivity is more common among girls (46%) than boys (33%).