Sport habits, weight status and skinfolds in 12-13 years old children: case study in Bologna.

Weight gain could be related to excessive energy intake and low calories consumption as a result of reduced physical activity and unhealthy lifestyles. The increased trend toward adiposity among adolescents in the Eastern Mediterranean region places them at a high risk of adult obesity and its consequences in terms of chronic diseases later in life. The purpose of this study is to analyze, under several points of view, weight status and sport habits of children from Bologna, aged twelve and thirteen years old. The selected subjects are 419 children attending secondary school of Bologna (202 Males and 217 Females, aged between 11,5 years and 13,5 ). Anthropometric variables measureded are numerous, but in the present study we considered only weight , height, BMI (Body Mass Index) and 7 types of skinfolds: biceps, triceps, subscapularis, supraspinal, suprailiac, medial calf, lateral calf. Body composition has been derived from skinfold using the prediction equations of Slaughter et al (1988). Approach to sport habits has been determined through interview to each child, the questions asked them are related to practiced sport activities outside school and kind of sport. Data processing was performed by using “STATISTICA” software. We decided to correlate approach to sport and weight status, calculated with two different methodologies: Cole’s cut offs and percentages of body fat, derived by Slaughter’s equations. The results of this study provide an interesting profile about weight status and sport skills of adolescents aged 12 and 13 years old. The evaluation of the collected data demonstrated interesting correlations between physical activity, skinfolds and children’s weight status.