한국청소년의 체격, 체력 및 비만도의 변화: 1956년에서 2004년까지

Abstract

Background In recent years, changes of physical characteristics, physical fitness and obesity indices in adolescents are attracting interest of medical, health, and nutritional professionals. However, interpretation of collected data for those variables may be largely subjective and appeared not evaluated objectively. Methods Based on the reliable four data sets (Normal biological and morbidity data of the Korea, 1978; Korea Agency for Technology and Standards, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, 1980-2004; A National Survey on Physical Fitness conduct by Ministry of Culture and Tourism, 1989-2004; The Investigation of Student General Physical Fitness Test conduct by Ministry of Education & Human Resources Development, 1989-2004) which have been widely accepted and screened for last five decades, this study was conducted to evaluate physical characteristics and fitness levels in Korean adolescents. Results Both height and weight of boys and girls have been increased and it was obvious in boys. The body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio were increased in boys but not in girls. The abdomen circumferences seemed to be increased in both groups but the standard deviation also appeared to be increased. Standing-long-jump and bar-hanging (girls) were reduced over time, but sit-up, push-up (boys), and sit-and-reach seemed maintained and even elevated. Conclusions The trends of changes of physical characteristics and fitness should not be evaluated independently since levels of each variable could affect to the level of the other variable. Changes of the two variables should be understood and interpreted as they have interactive relationships.