Physical Fitness, Hemodynamic Parameters and Body Fat Percentage in Urban Cameroonian Adolescents with Normal Weight and Overweight/Obese

This study aims to assess the effects of overweight/obesity on the physical fitness and hemodynamic parameters in urban Cameroonian adolescents aged 11 to 18. Thus, a sample of 804 participants, namely: 282 boys and 532 girls was taken and divided into two groups according to their Body Mass Index.The first group consisted of 534 normal-weighted participants (66.42%) and the second of 270 overweight participants (33.58%).Individual cards were used to collect anthropometric, hemodynamic and physical fitness data from adolescents.Results shown significant difference in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and resting heart rate between normal-weighted and overweight participants (P>0.05).Moreover, significant increase (p0.05) in Hand grip strength and Sit-ups for 30 sec associated with a decrease in 105-m shuttle run test and Standing broad jump test were observed in overweight adolescents of both sexes at all age groups.In addition, aerobic endurance results showed a significant decrease (P>0.05) in maximal oxygen uptake in overweight participants compared to normal-weighted.The results of this study show that being overweight imposes abnormal mechanics on body movements that can lead to a deterioration of cardiovascular system and physical fitness of adolescents.