Table 1

Physical characteristics, fitness and physical activity levels at age 15y, and at young adulthood (mean age 22.0y).

Males
 Females

Baseline
 Follow-up
 Baseline
 Follow-up

n
 Mean
 SD
 n
 Mean
 SD
 n
 Mean
 SD
 n
 Mean
 SD
Weight (kg)
 245
 59.2
 8.9
 245
 75.5***
 11.5
 231
 56.9
 9.1
 231
 64.3***
 11.7
Height (m)
 245
 1.70
 0.07
 245
 1.78***
 0.07
 231
 1.62
 0.06
 231
 1.64***
 0.06
Body mass index (kgm-2)
 245
 20.4
 2.4
 245
 23.8***
 3.1
 231
 21.7
 3.2
 231
 23.8***
 4.1
Biceps skinfold (mm)
 245
 4.73
 2.23
 244
 5.54***
 3.42
 231
 8.00
 2.92
 230
 9.57***
 5.27
Triceps skinfold (mm)
 245
 9.21
 4.59
 244
 10.28**
 5.41
 231
 15.97
 4.49
 230
 17.84***
 5.94
Subscapular skinfold (mm)
 245
 7.75
 3.75
 244
 12.94***
 5.22
 231
 11.57
 4.77
 230
 15.14***
 6.17
Suprailiac skinfold (mm)
 245
 10.30
 6.58
 244
 15.87***
 7.43
 231
 14.08
 5.73
 230
 16.01***
 6.98
Sum of skinfolds (mm)
 245
 32.00
 16.07
 244
 44.63***
 18.76
 231
 49.61
 15.62
 230
 58.56***
 20.76
VO2maxa
 241
 52.07
 5.96
 225
 38.93***
 8.70
 228
 41.05
 5.48
 212
 26.90***
 5.43
Physical activity scoreb
 242
 28.27
 14.44
 243
 7.95
 1.38
 227
 17.71
 12.59
 229
 7.40
 1.20

a VO2max at age 15y was derived from the number of 20 metre shuttle run laps completed by each subject. At follow-up, VO2max was extrapolated from the results of a cycle ergometer test (Physical Work Capacity at a heart rate of 170 bpm; PWC170).

b Physical activity scores at age 15y were calculated according to the method of Riddoch et al (1991). At follow-up, a modification (Pereira et al, 1997) of the Baecke questionnaire was used. At age 15y, the maximum possible activity score was 100, while at follow-up, scores could range from 3–15.

For each sex, differences between variables measured at age 15y and young adulthood were assessed using paired t-tests. *** P < 0.001 ** P < 0.01.

Boreham et al. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2004 1:14   doi:10.1186/1479-5868-1-14

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