Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, motor performance, and growth of senegalese pre‐adolescents

Abstract

Profiles of usual physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, motor performance, and growth were measured regularly for 2 years in 40 rural Senegalese (Wolof) children-20 boys and 20 girls-who were 10 or 11 years of age and clinically healthy at the beginning of the study. Compared to National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reference data, the children showed lower weight-for-age and height-for-age throughout the period of observation; the increments of height from year to year were not remarkable and growth spurts were not observed during the study period. The motor performance (running, jumping, throwing) and spirometer test results were inferior to age-matched American children. When adjusted for actual weight and height, jumping and throwing results were similar to those of American children, but running results remained inferior. Cardiorespiratory function appeared inferior to American children of the same age, although speed of recovery after exertion demonstrated good cardiorespiratory efficiency. Physical activity, directly observed over 2-day periods on 4 occasions, corresponded to an average energy expenditure of 1.66 Mets (multiples of basal metabolic rate) (boys) and 1.76 Mets (girls), which are close to the FAO/WHO/UNU values for age. The higher energy expenditure of girls could be explained by their participation in domestic tasks. Both boys and girls spent an average of 42 minutes/day on activities equivalent to energy consumption rates equal or greater than 4.8 Mets. Significant correlations existed between the activity index and cardiorespiratory fitness in boys, and between the activity index and motor performances in girls. Physical aptitudes of sampled children appear compatible with the demands of their social and agricultural tasks. However, it appears that persistent malnutrition may have stunted their growth and motor performances. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Childhood malnutrition and growth in a rural area of Western Kenya

“…The pattern of poor growth performance of the Kenyan children, probably related to malnutrition, is similar to that recorded in other African populations (Dellaportas, 1969;Gallo and Mestriner, 1980;Bénéfice, 1993;Olivieri, 1995;Monyeki et al, 2000;Zverev and Gondwe, 2001;Pawloski, 2002). Our results concerning sex differences in anthropometric characters, with a more favorable growth status in girls than in boys, agree with other studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa (Corlett, 1986;Bènèfice and Malina, 1996;Simondon et al, 1998).…”

Anthropometric and motor characteristics of Senegalese with different nutritional histories

“…In rural Mexico, for example, chronically iindemourished schoolchildren had poorer motor performances than well-nourished children; however, most of the differences were reduced after controlling for age, weight and height (Malina & Buschang 1985). Similar results were found in Africa (Ghesquiere & Eeckels 1984;Benefice 1993). Poorer motor performances of undernourished children may also be the consequence of slow motor development.…”

Physical fitness of normal, stunted and overweight children 6–13 years in Oaxaca, Mexico

“…All responses were checked on site by one of the field investigators (MEPR) and clarified by interview if necessary. Activities were classified by estimated intensity (Benefice, 1993;Ainsworth et al, 2000). On the basis of field observations, youth spent about 2 h/day or B15 h/week in chores.…”