Cross-sectional associations of body size indicators and lifestyle behaviors with cardiorespiratory fitness among adolescents: an allometric approach

Aim This study aimed to verify the associations of body size indicators and lifestyle behaviors with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among adolescents using an allometric scale. Methods We evaluated 569 adolescents (53.6% females; mean age, 13.0 ± 1.0 years) from Florianópolis, Southern Brazil. The 20-m shuttle run was used to assess CRF, while a questionnaire was used to measure lifestyle behaviors (practicing sports and non-sports physical activity, different screen time components, sleep duration, healthy and unhealthy diet score, tobacco smoking, and alcohol consumption), and body size indicators (body mass and stature). Bayesian log-linear regression models were applied to identify the association of body size indicators and lifestyle behaviors with CRF. Results We found that body mass, stature, sports and non-sports physical activities, consumption of fruits and vegetables (healthy diet), and not smoking were related to greater CRF among adolescents. Conclusions Our results show that studies focused on increasing CRF should consider not only body size indicators but also lifestyle behaviors.