Physical fitness in Catalan children in relation to parental tobacco use and other associated factors

Introduction: Physical fitness level in children and adolescents is determined, partly, by the specific social and cultural context of each country. There is a lack of information about physical fitness level of Catalan children and its relation with parental socioeconomic and education level and anthropometric parameters. The aim of this study is to assess the physical fitness level of Catalan children and to examine the association with family environment and parental anthropometric characteristics and smoking. 

Methods and Materials: This is an observational, cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic study of 8- and 9-year-old schoolchildren. Physical fitness level was assessed with “ALPHA-FITNESS battery” and familiar environment and progenitors’ characteristics with ALADINO family questionnaire. Differences between group means were assessed using Student's t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) and relation between variables by Pearson correlation coefficient. 

Results: 269 children participated, 146 male (54.2%). Higher parental education level is associated to a better cardiorespiratory condition in their offspring. Those children whose fathers have higher education have a lower waist perimeter and lower body mass index. Children whose parents are not regular smokers have a better physical fitness. A positive correlation between body mass indexes of parents and children is observed, while a negative correlation between the maternal body mass index and both the musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory conditions of the children is found. Conclusion: Children's physical fitness is related with education level, body mass index and smoking pattern of their parents.