ASSESSMENT OF FITNESS AND BODY WEIGHT FOR PROPHYLACTIC PURPOSES IN MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Studies indicate that maintaining a good level of fitness and appropriate body weight is crucial for the physical, cognitive, and emotional development of children. Good fitness reduces the risk of obesity, chronic diseases, and improves academic performance and overall well-being. Eurostat data shows that only 26% of children aged 6 to 9 and 22% of those aged 10 to 12 participated in organized sports activities in 2019. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 19% of children aged 5 to 19 were overweight or obese in 2016. The aim of this study is to analyze the importance of assessing fitness and body weight in preventing health issues among middle school students, focusing on prophylactic perspectives. Correct evaluation of these aspects is crucial for early identification of risk factors and for implementing appropriate physiotherapeutic interventions. Increased screen time and decreased physical activity can lead to an increased risk of obesity and associated health problems among primary school children. A sample of 166 middle school students from Oradea-Bihor County (Romania), including 84 girls and 82 boys, participated in the study, who underwent the following tests summarized below. The results revealed that the average weight for boys is 59.53 kg, while for girls it is 55.03 kg. The average age is 14.02 years. Additionally, the average BMI is 57.10 (percentiles), with boys having an average BMI of 58.23 (percentiles and girls 55.91 (percentiles). The average obesity grade is 101.13, with the lower limit being 90 and the upper limit being 125. Notably, 23 boys were found to be below the lower limit, while 27 were above the upper limit.