The Effect of Nutritional Status on the Physical Aptitude of School Children in Urban and Rural Areas of the Center Region of Cameroon

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of nutritional status on the physical aptitude of school children in urban areas of the center region of Cameroon. The study design was that of experimental model. 747 children of both sexes took part.

After measuring the heights and weights of the children, the nutritional status was assessed by the WHO growth reference for school-aged children and adolescents which is used to monitor the nutritional status of children aged 6 to 17 years (De Onis, Onyango, Borghi, et al, 2007). The children were then classified into the following categories: waisted, normal, overweight and obese.

The physical aptitude of the participants was assessed using the following tests: the six minutes’ walk test (6 MWT) to estimate the aerobic capacity, a 30-meter track to assess the children’s speed and the broad jump (BJ) test was used to quantify the explosive strength of the participants.

Inferentially, one-way analysis of variance was used to analyse the data. Results obtained were as follows: The mean VO2max was insignificantly (t=2.2590, P=0.0538) higher in the female wasted children as compared to the male wasted children. For the 30m dash test, its mean value was higher in males than in females even though not statistically significant as reviewed by the student test (t=1.186, P=0.2697). As for the broad jump test in the wasted children, its mean value was insignificantly (t=0.4112, P=0.6917) slightly higher in males than in females.

In conclusion, nutritional status has an influence on the physical aptitude and of school children living in rural and urban areas of the centre region and this influence slightly differ in rural and urban areas of the centre region of Cameroon.