Kinuthia Stanley Kagunda, Stratton Gareth, Wachira Lucy Joy, Okoth Victor, Owino George Evans, Ochola Sophie, Richards Amie Bethan, Kiplamai Festus, Onywera Vincent, Swindell Nils
Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sports Science, Kenyatta University, Nairobi P.O. Box 43844-00100, Kenya.
Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, Swansea University, Swansea SA1 8EN, UK.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2025 Apr 2;22(4):542. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22040542.
Physical fitness is a key indicator of children's health, yet amidst rising inactivity and obesity, data on Kenyan children are scarce. This study assessed health- and skill-related fitness differences between rural and urban Kenyan children while examining demographic influences. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), BMI, strength, flexibility, speed, agility, and coordination were assessed in 1131 children aged 11.07 ± 0.9 years (52.7% girls) recruited using stratified cluster random sampling. Significant rural-urban disparities were observed. In urban areas, 16.6% were overweight and 2.8% obese, compared to 4% and 0.6% in rural areas ( < 0.001). Conversely, 44.5% of the rural cohort were underweight versus 13.7% urban cohort ( < 0.001). Multivariable regression revealed that rural children demonstrated superior CRF (β = -4.68 laps, < 0.001) and lower back flexibility (β = -2.77 cm, < 0.001), while urban children excelled in speed and coordination (β = 3.68 bounces, < 0.001) and grip strength (β = 2.16 kg, < 0.001). Boys outperformed girls in explosive leg power (β = -6.75 cm, < 0.001) and CRF (β = -6.92 laps, < 0.001). These findings highlight fitness inequities among Kenyan children, emphasising the need for equitable, targeted, and inclusive physical activity opportunities.
身体健康是儿童健康的关键指标，但在缺乏运动和肥胖率不断上升的背景下，有关肯尼亚儿童的数据却很稀少。本研究评估了肯尼亚城乡儿童在健康和技能相关体能方面的差异，同时考察了人口统计学因素的影响。采用分层整群随机抽样方法，对1131名年龄为11.07±0.9岁（女孩占52.7%）的儿童进行了心肺适能（CRF）、体重指数（BMI）、力量、柔韧性、速度、敏捷性和协调性评估。观察到显著的城乡差异。在城市地区，16.6%的儿童超重，2.8%的儿童肥胖，而农村地区分别为4%和0.6%（<0.001）。相反，农村队列中有44.5%的儿童体重不足，而城市队列为13.7%（<0.001）。多变量回归显示，农村儿童的心肺适能更佳（β=-4.68圈，<0.001），下背部柔韧性较差（β=-2.77厘米，<0.001），而城市儿童在速度、协调性（β=3.68次弹跳，<0.001）和握力（β=2.16千克，<0.001）方面表现出色。男孩在腿部爆发力（β=-6.75厘米，<0.001）和心肺适能（β=-6.92圈，<0.001）方面优于女孩。这些发现凸显了肯尼亚儿童在体能方面的不平等，强调需要提供公平、有针对性和包容性的体育活动机会。
