Semmelweis University Budapest

The general pattern of healthy growth is quite similar from one individual to another, but there is considerable individual variability in size attained and rate of growth at different ages, with respect both to the body as a whole and to its specific parts. Both the whole body and its parts, therefore, must be measured, and the study of growth is syno-nimous to a large extent with measurements. The aims of this comparative study was to characterise the physique, body composition and motor performance of Ipoh children and adolescents aged between 10 and 13 years. The investigated 1.922 boys mean 8-9% of the respective Malaysian, Indian and Chinese population. Standard anthropometric procedures were used for the estimation of growth type (Conrad 1963), somatotype (Heath and Carter 1967) and relative body fat content (Parízková 1961). The actual level of physical perforance capacity was assessed by the results of 1200 m run, 30 m dash, standing long jump and fist ball throw. The significant differences between the height, body mass and growth type characteristics can be attributed to the racial variability, however, the very great ratio of fat and obese children and adolescents were independent of the anthropological differences. Nevertheless, significantly more picnomorphic growth type was found in the fat and obese subjects irrespective of racial differences. The physical performance capacity of the investigated Malaysian children is in a definitely lower level, than their European and North American counterparts. The absence of practice in some of the test exercises means just one side of the problem. The learning effect can be excluded from the evaluated results consequently. The 80 minutes regular physical activity alone cannot compensate the negative consequences of their sedentary life style. Bearing in mind the complexity of these relationships, and recent evidence that children are not as active as they should be and are becoming fat, such problems in childhood and adolescence may lead to serve adult health consequences, it seems prudent to stress primary prevention strategies in childhood aimed at controlling obesity and promoting aerobic fitness, such stratagies should include regular testing of fatness and fitness as well as the promotion of habitual, vigorous physical activity. A potentially important mechanism linking exercise to long-term weight loss is a collection of psychological factors. These factors are important to explore for several re-asons. Exercise prescription might be affected, and there is a possibility, judging from clinical experience and recent research (Bouchard 2000), that improved well-being and enhanced self-esteem produced by physical activity generalise to other areas and lead to improved dietary adherence. A review of literature on exercise and psychology suggest several possible effects of physical activity on psychological factors that may be related to weight control. These factors are mood, body image, self-esteem, self efficacy, and coping. The general aims and goals of school physical education must be separated in and must be fill up with special contents in case of fat and obese children and adoles-cents. The most important goals are: the goals of physical education and sports, the nature of physical education and competitive sports with respect of educational goals, achievement of the physical goal in leisure-time physical activity and in school, achievement of the goals of motor skills, achievement of socioethical and personality goals.