BACKGROUND: Age and reduction in performed physical activity cause physiological changes that include an increase in body fat (BF) and visceral fat (VF) during aging. These parameters, together with increased body mass (BM), are some of the risk factors of several noninfectious diseases. However, changes in body composition can be influenced by regular physical activity. Running is a suitable, accessible, and the most effective physical activity cultivating people. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of long-term, regular PA, specifically recreational running, on changes in body composition among recreational adult runners covering a weekly distance of at least 10 km, compared with inactive adult individuals within the same age bracket. METHODS: The study included 1296 runners and inactive individuals (691 male and 605 female), divided into 5 age groups: 18-25, 26-35, 36-45, 46-55, and 56-65 years. Runners are as follows: ran ≥ 10 km/week, and inactive is as follows: did not follow the WHO 2020 physical activity recommendations. The measured parameters included BM, BF, and VF. To check statistical significance, the Mann-Whitney U-test was used. Practical significance was assessed using the effect of size. RESULTS: All age groups of runners were selected to include individuals who run at least 10 km per week. In fact, they ran, on average, from 21.6 to 31.4 km per week in relation to age and showed significantly lower values of BM, BMI, BF, and VF (p < 0.05) than inactive individuals. Exceptions included insignificant differences (p > 0.05) in BM and BMI in males in the age category of 18-25 and in females in the age category of 18-25 and 26-35. CONCLUSION: The selected runners had to run at least 10 km per week. Their actual average volume was significantly higher (from 21.6 to 31.4 km/week), and the results showed that it could lead to significantly better body composition values. It may lead to significant changes in body mass, body fat, and visceral fat. It may meet the contemporary societal expectations for physical activities that are both achievable and effective at the lowest possible volume.

• Keywords
• Body fat, Inactive individuals, Running, Visceral fat, Weight status,
• MeSH
• Running * physiology   MeSH
• Exercise MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Body Composition MeSH
• Body Weight MeSH
• Adipose Tissue MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Background and objectives: Body mass index (BMI) is commonly used to assess the proportionality of body mass; however, there are currently no standards for assessing the weight status of the child population for the needs of epidemiological studies. This study aims to establish bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) standards for assessing the body weight of children (body fat, visceral fat) using BMI percentile growth charts. Materials and Methods: The study was implemented in a group of 1674 children (816 boys and 858 girls), ages 6 to 11. To classify the subjects at a percentile level, the percentile growth charts from the 6th national anthropological study in the Czech Republic were used. Body composition parameters were ascertained by BIA. Results: Body fat (%) and visceral fat standard values were determined for all age categories. The standards were in three-stages, enabling the determination of underweight, normal weight and overweight children aged 6-11 years. For boys with proportionate body mass, standard body fat values ranging from 14.3-16.0% to 15.5-18.0% were determined, while for girls' values ranging from 16.7-19.4% to 18.3-20.5% were determined, depending on age. As far as visceral fat is concerned, standard values in boys ranging from 30.3-36.9 cm2 to 36.1-44.9 cm2 and in girls 30.3-36.9 cm2 to 36.1-44.9 cm2 were determined, depending on age. Conclusions: Standards for assessing weight status are applicable to children aged 6-11 years, while it can be confirmed that BMI can be considered as an objective tool in assessing body mass and body composition in children.

• Keywords
• body fat, body mass index, growth chart, prepubescent children, standards,
• MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Electric Impedance MeSH
• Body Mass Index MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Schools * MeSH
• Body Weight MeSH
• Adipose Tissue * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of body mass index (BMI) and to detect the optimal BMI cutoff points to define adiposity in women of various ages. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 2409 women participated. Fat mass was measured using a multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. The diagnostic performance of BMI to identify adiposity was evaluated using a fat mass percentage cutoff point of ⩾35%. RESULTS: Although 40% of women were overfat, the BMI-based obesity prevalence was 21%. In the total sample, BMI had low overall performance, which resulted in a sensitivity of 51.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 48.7-55.2%) and a specificity of 99.2% (95% CI: 98.7-99.6%). BMI failed to identify overfat women with intermediate BMI ranges. An analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curves of all of the subjects demonstrated that optimal cutoff point corresponded to a BMI value of 26.4 kg/m(2). The diagnostic performance of BMI did not differ as age increased. CONCLUSIONS: BMI has a high specificity but a low sensitivity to detect adiposity, and it fails to identify nearly half of women with excess fat mass. We provide evidence that a commonly used BMI cutoff value to diagnose obesity is too high among women.

• MeSH
• Adiposity MeSH
• Diagnostic Errors statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Electric Impedance MeSH
• Body Mass Index * MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Obesity diagnosis   epidemiology   MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Reference Values MeSH
• ROC Curve MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Sensitivity and Specificity MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic epidemiology   MeSH