Fatness and fitness related to exercise in normal and obese children and adolescents

The main aim of this article is the review of selected longitudinal studies (lasting from several months up to 14 years in the same groups) investigating body fat indicators in relationship to physical activity, exercise and fitness levels in normal weight and obese children and adolescents from preschool age. Special attention was focused on complex simultaneous observations which included body composition, cardiorespiratory efficiency, motor abilities, and dietary intake in their mutual relationships, also with regard to secular changes along the last 50 years up to the present. Musculoskeletal problems related to excess fatness were also considered.