Association Between Waist Circumference and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56338/jks.v9i8.11900Keywords:
waist circumference, central obesity, cardiorespiratory fitness, adolescents, young adults.Abstract
Central obesity and low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are increasingly recognized as important health concerns among adolescents and young adults. Waist circumference (WC) is a simple and practical indicator of central obesity, while CRF is a key marker of cardiovascular and metabolic health. This review aimed to examine the association between waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescents and young adults. A narrative review was conducted using studies retrieved from PubMed and ScienceDirect. Articles published between 2016 and 2026 were screened according to predefined eligibility criteria. A total of 12 studies involving adolescents and young adults were included. The selected studies evaluated waist circumference as a measure of central obesity and cardiorespiratory fitness assessed through VO₂max or validated field-based fitness tests. Findings were synthesized descriptively to identify patterns in the relationship between waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fitness. Current evidence consistently indicates that a larger waist circumference is associated with lower cardiorespiratory fitness. Individuals with greater central adiposity generally exhibit lower CRF levels. However, the magnitude of this association may vary according to factors such as sex, physical activity levels, and the methods used to assess these variables. Given its simplicity and accessibility, waist circumference can serve as a practical approach for identifying cardiometabolic risk at an early stage when combined with cardiorespiratory fitness assessment in adolescents and young adults
References
Bo B, Guo A, Kaila SJ, Hao Z, Zhang H, Wei J, et al. Elucidating the primary mechanisms of high-intensity interval training for improved cardiac fi tness in obesity. 2023;(August).
Cesar J, Guedes DP, Henrique P, Dias G, Neto AS, Oliveira RG De. Associations Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents : A Systematic Review and. 2024;
Chang Y, Zhou B, Zhang Y, et al. Comprehensive effects of aerobic training and dietary intervention on anthropometric and body composition parameters in obese adolescents. 2026;4(November 2025).
Chomiuk T, Niezgoda N, Mamcarz A, Daniel Ś. Physical activity in metabolic syndrome. 2024;(February):1–8.
Dong J, Song P, Zhang Z, Zhang J. Curvilinear association between waist-to- height ratio and cardiorespiratory fitness : a cross-sectional study based on nationwide data from Chinese children and adolescents. 2024;8:1–10.
Dring KJ, Cooper SB, Williams RA, et al. Effect of adiposity and physical fi tness on cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents : A 2- year longitudinal study.2022;(December):1–11.
Hart PD. Mediating effect of waist circumference on the relationship between physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescents. 2020;7(6):234–7.
Hingorjo MR, Zehra S, Hasan Z, Qureshi MA. Cardiorespiratory fitness and its association with adiposity indices in young adults. 2017;33(3):659–64.
Kula A, Brender R, Bernartz KM, Walter U. Waist circumference as a parameter in school- based interventions to prevent overweight and obesity - a systematic review and meta- analysis. 2024;
Kwon H, Pessin JE. Adipokines mediate inflammation and insulin resistance. 2013;4(June):1- 13.
Lehnhard AR, Sehn AP, Francisco J, Silveira DC, Burns RD, Reuter CP, et al. Longitudinal relationship between screen time , cardiorespiratory fitness , and waist circumference of children and adolescents : a 3-year cohort study. 2023;1–7.
Leite N, Tadiotto MC, Junior FBDM, Junior FJDM, Corazza PRP, Silva LR, et al. Examining the mediating role of muscle quantity in adolescents : associations with adiposity , cardiorespiratory fitness , muscular fitness , and cardiometabolic risk factors. Sci Rep [Internet]. 2024;1–10. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61805-w
Leone M, Bui HT, Kalinova E, Lemoyne J, Gagnon D, Luc L, et al. Investigation of Underlying Association between Anthropometric and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Markers among Overweight and Obese Adolescents in Canada. 2024;1–26.
Limkul L, Udomittipong K, Charoensittisup P, Mahoran K. Effects of metabolic syndrome and its components on pulmonary function and functional capacity in children and adolescents with obesity. 2025;
Ling J, Chen S, Zahry NR, Kao T sui A. Economic burden of childhood overweight and obesity : A systematic review and meta-analysis. 2023;(June 2022):1–13.
Liu Y, Yin X, Zhang F, Li Y, Bi C, Sun Y. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness Relationship between waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fi tness in Chinese children and adolescents : Results from a cross- sectional survey. J Exerc Sci Fit [Internet]. 2022;20(1):1–8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2021.10.004
Marks K, Kopeć D, Lenik J, Lenik P, Dziadek B. Selected somatic parameters and body composition as predictors of cardiorespiratory fitness among Polish adolescents aged 11 – 14. 2024;1–9.
Men J, Wang P, Gao Q, Li Y, Zhu G, Yu Z, et al. Impact of exercise on anthropometric outcomes in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity : a systematic review and meta ‑ analysis based on 113 randomized controlled trials worldwide. 2025;
Mondal H, Mishra SP. Correlation of waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio with maximal aerobic capacity in young adults. 2017;14–7.
Moore R, Li L, Chen Y. Comparative effectiveness of school-based exercise interventions on physical fitness in children and adolescents : a systematic review and network. 2023;(June):1–14.
Peters U, Dixon AE. The effect of obesity on lung function Ubong. 2019;12(9):755–67.
Raghuveer G, Hartz J, Lubans D, Wiltz J, Mietus-snyder M, Perak A, et al. Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Youth – An Important Marker of Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. 2020;142(7).
Risk NCD, Collaboration F. Articles Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022 : a pooled analysis of 3663 population- representative studies with 222 million children , adolescents , and adults. 2024;1027–50.
Werneck AO, Silva DR, Agostinete RR, et al. Social , behavioral and biological correlates of cardiorespiratory fitness according to sex , nutritional status and maturity status among adolescents . A cross-sectional study. 2018;136(3):237–44.
Wisnieski L, Dalimonte-merckling D, Robbins LB. in Adolescent Girls. 2019;15(5):9–13.
Zadarko-domaradzka M, Sobolewski M, Nizioł-babiarz E, Barabasz Z. An Investigation of the Utility of Waist Circumference Predicting Cardiorespiratory Fitness in School Children : A Cross-Sectional Study. 2023;
