Resumen

PEREZ, Betty M; LANDAETA-JIMENEZ, Maritza; ARROYO BARAHONA, Esteban  y  MARRODAN, María Dolores. Physical activity pattern, body composition and fat patterning in Venezuelan adolescents. An Venez Nutr [online]. 2012, vol.25, n.1, pp.05-15. ISSN 0798-0752.

Body composition and fat patterning are considered as predictor tools for an early diagnosis of risk of cardiovascular diseases. A study was conducted in 300 male and female Venezuelan adolescents (2006-2007) to explore body composition, and fat patterning, related to physical activity. Subjects were categorized based on body mass index (BMI), arm fat area (AFA), arm muscle area (AMA), central and peripheral distribution of fat and physical activity by Krece Plus questionnaire. Multivariante techniques were applied. According to BMI categories 6.7% were categorized as low and 11.7% as high; AFA classified 12.7% as high and 3.3% as low. AMA found 11.3% as low and 19% as high, 56% of adolescents did not archive a moderate or good physical activity. Overweight adolescents showed poor physical activity. The first cluster grouped most of the normal subjects, average age 13 years, and moderate and intense physical activity (5.5 /2.3 hours for males and females). The second cluster depicted subjects with deficit, normal and high ones were located on the third and four clusters. Boys were more active (6.6-3.3) than girls (4.1-2.3). Age was a variable that characterized the profile of the clusters and was related to body fat distribution. The physical test was not strong enough to the conformation of the factorial axes and was weakly associated with body composition and its distribution. The youngest were more sedentary linked to centralized and peripheral body fat distribution, both components recognized as contributing factors to a number of medical conditions, even during adolescence. A poor physical activity level and impairment of fat distribution could be considered modifiable risks factors as elements of integral policies for adolescents.

Palabras clave : body composition; fat patterning; skinfolds; physical activity; body mass index; adolescents; Venezuela.

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