RT journal article
T1 Geographic and ethnic inequalities in total and central obesity, and physical fitness among preschool children: Insights from the PREFIT project
A1 Cadenas Sánchez, Cristina
A1 Fernández-Santos, Jorge del Rosario
A1 Sánchez López, Mairena
A1 García-Corada, Natalia
A1 Moliner-Urdiales, Diego
A1 Romero-Parra, Nuria
A1 Rodríguez Pérez, Manuel A.
A1 Jiménez Pavón, David
A1 Vicente-Rodríguez, Germán
A2 Didáctica de la Educación FísicaPlástica y Musical
K1 body mass index
K1 cardiorespiratory fitness
K1 muscular strength
K1 preschoolers
K1 rural
K1 speed-agility
K1 urban
K1 waist circumference
AB Background and objectives: Obesity and physical fitness are known to be influenced by various geographic factors and ethnicity in children. However, there is limited evidence on the level to which these factors can influence very early in life, at preschool age. This study aimed to describe and compare total and central obesity and physical fitness according to geographic factors and ethnicity in preschoolers. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 3179 preschoolers (4.6 ± 0.9y, 52.8% boys). Geographic factors (location and type of area: rural/urban) were assessed based on the school setting, while ethnicity was determined through parental self-report. Total and central obesity and physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, speed-agility, balance) were assessed using the PREFIT battery. Results: Preschoolers from southern regions of Spain presented higher total obesity along with lower performance in cardiorespiratory fitness and lower-limb muscular strength compared to their northern peers (p ≤ 0.017). However, they demonstrated greater levels of upper-limb muscular strength and balance (p < 0.001). Preschoolers from rural areas of Spain showed higher central obesity but better fitness performance compared to those from urban areas (p ≤ 0.004). White and African preschoolers showed lower levels of total and central obesity than Latin preschoolers (p ≤ 0.003) and performed better in upper-limb muscular strength and speed–agility compared to Asian or Latin preschoolers (p ≤ 0.037). Conclusion: This study highlights significant physical health inequalities among preschoolers based on geographical factors and ethnic backgrounds. These findings underscore the need for targeted public health strategies to address socioeconomic and environmental determinants of early-life health disparities.
PB John Wiley and Sons Ltd
SN 2047-6310
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/38661
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/38661
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 10-nov-2026