Nutritional and physical fitness differences in children and adolescents from diverse socio-economic backgrounds

Lifestyle affects the health of children and adolescents, especially those living with socio-economic disadvantages. The purpose of this study was to evaluate nutritional status, level of fitness, and diet in children and adolescents from different socio-economic environment. To evaluate nutritional status and nutritional habits, Body Mass Index 7-score, Waist-to-Height Index and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index, were chosen.To measure physical fitness, Eurofit battery was used. Participants were 290 healthy children and adolescents of two groups. Group 1 (78) was part of a social integration project through sport; group 2 (212) belonged to a private school with a high socio-economic status. Differences between groups were found in the nutritional status and physical fitness tests.There were no differences in the total score of the Kid MedTest (p=.42), but data suggested a better quality of food consumption in group 2. Even though both groups exhibited healthy values, results were slightly more favorable for speed of movement and flexibility (p<.05), and for diet habits (better intake of olive oil, less sweet consumption, p < .05) in the group 2.The study, even with limitations, shows that there is still room for equal opportunities in promoting the quality of life of young people.