Abstract
Purpose of the study: The study aimed to assess maturity offset in overweight children nearing adolescence and investigate potential differences in peak height velocity and fitness levels within this population.
Methodology: The study involved 28 individuals (14 boys and 14 girls) aged 8-11 years with a body mass index >85th percentile. Maturity offset, peak height velocity, and cardiovascular fitness were measured for all subjects.
Results: The study revealed that the average age of peak height velocity for girls was 10.69 ± 2.51 years, while for boys it was 13.40 ± 2.29 years. Differences were observed in age of peak height velocity, maturity offset, leg length, and cardiorespiratory fitness, with girls having higher means for the maturity offset and leg length and boys having higher means for peak height velocity and cardiorespiratory fitness.
Conclusions: In late childhood, boys with an elevated body mass index have higher cardiorespiratory fitness as compared to girls. Girls who are overweight tend to reach maturity earlier than boys with a similar body mass index. Additionally, girls experience an early growth spurt in terms of height compared to boys, although boys demonstrate a superior overall peak height gain compared to girls.
Abbreviations: BMI- Body Mass Index, PHV- Peak High Velocity, VO2 max - Maximal oxygen consumption