Obesity, adiposity, physical fitness and activity levels in Cree children

Objectives. To describe the levels of obesity, adiposity measures, physical activity and fitness in Cree children aged 9-12 years. Study Design. Cross-sectional survey. Methods. The study took place in northern Quebec, Canada. Height, body mass, waist circumference and five skinfold thicknesses were measured. Physical activity was assessed by having children wear a pedometer for two days. Children performed the 20-metre shuttle run test (SRT) to determine their physical fitness level. Results. Of 82 participating children, 33% were overweight (but not obese) and 38% were obese according to an international reference. The mean sum of five skinfold measures exceeded the 95th percentile of Canadian children. Compared with the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the majority of children exceeded the 85th percentile for waist circumference (62%) and at the suprailiac (80%), subscapular (72%), and triceps (54%) skinfold sites. 90% of children scored below the 20th percentile in the SRT compared with normative data from Quebec children. Based on pedometer scores, only 49% of children were sufficiently active. Conclusions. There is a high prevalence of overweight and central adiposity in this population, with low physical activity and fitness levels. This profile may result in adverse health outcomes.