Relationship of physical fitness and body composition with self-rated health

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between several variables of physical fitness, as well as the body fat percentage, and self-rated health. The participants in the study were 264 teenagers from the city of Malaga (Spain), whose age ranged between 14 and 16 years old (M= 15.05; SD= 0.78). The body fat percentage was measured by means of a bioelectrical impedance analysis and the CourseNavette test was used to assess the maximal oxygen consumption. Moreover, other measured variables were the time to run 50 metres and the distance jumped horizontally. The General Health Questionaire (GHQ-28) was used to evaluate the self-rated health. The linear regression and correlation analysis highlighting that the variables physical fitness and body fat percentage were associated with GHQ-28 subscales scores except severe depression. In particular, the maximal oxygen consumption predicted negatively somatic symptoms and anxiety and insomnia factors. In addition, the body fat percentage predicted positively these factors.