The association between fitness and obesity in diverse multi-ethnic college students.

We examined differences and associations between physical fitness and behavioral factors with obesity in a multi-ethnic student population. Study population included non-Hispanic whites (NHW,  = 1,454); Hispanics ( = 1,436) and Asians ( = 1,016) at a metropolitan university from Fall 2006 to Fall 2013. Analyses of Variance and regression analyses, utilizing cross-sectional data, measured the association between fitness, and behavior with obesity. BMI differences ( < .05) were observed between NHW (23.17 ± 3.67), Hispanics (24.32 ± 3.67), and Asians (22.92 ± 4.12). Fitness parameters, relative VO max, % body fat, and total fitness score were significantly ( < .0001) associated with obesity. Stress was strongly significantly associated with obesity in Hispanics ( < .001) and somewhat in NHW. Obesity disparities persist in college. Physical fitness and stress management interventions should be targeted towards Hispanic and NHW college students, which may curb current and/or adult-onset obesity.