Publication Name	World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics
Manuscript ID	119985
Country	India

Category	Sport Sciences
Manuscript Type	Editorial
Article Title	Nigerian youth FitnessGram edge: A bright signal with important caveats
Manuscript Source	Invited Manuscript
All Author List	Vijaya Lakshmi Bodiga, Praveen Kumar Vemuri and Sreedhar Bodiga
Funding Agency and Grant Number
Corresponding Author	Sreedhar Bodiga, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Forest College and Research Institute Hyderabad, Siddipet District Telangana, Mulug 502279, Telangāna, India. sbodiga@gmail.com
Key Words	Adolescent physical activity; Body composition; FitnessGram; Nigerian youth; Sedentary behaviour
Core Tip	Nigerian youth demonstrate exceptionally high rates of meeting FitnessGram health standards for aerobic capacity (AZ) and body mass index, outperforming peers in high income countries. However, age and sex specific gaps emerge, with older males and adolescent females less likely to achieve AZ thresholds, signaling vulnerable subgroups that require targeted action. These findings highlight how active daily living in low resource settings can protect cardiometabolic health, yet may erode with urbanization and sedentary shifts. The study underscores the need for national fitness surveillance and school based interventions to preserve early advantages and prevent later cardiovascular disease.
Citation	Bodiga VL, Vemuri PK, Bodiga S. Nigerian youth FitnessGram edge: A bright signal with important caveats. World J Clin Pediatr 2026; In press

Received	2026-02-12 01:07
Peer-Review Started	2026-02-12 01:09
First Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-02-27 08:58
Return for Revision	2026-02-27 08:58
Revised	2026-03-05 07:19
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-04-15 02:37
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-04-15 07:25
Articles in Press	2026-04-15 07:25
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	2219-2808 (online)
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Copyright	©Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2026. No commercial re-use. See Permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
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