Dietary fiber intake, physical fitness, and weight status in 14- to 17-year-old adolescents

Klaus Greier; Clemens Drenowatz; Jozef Dudas; Cornelia Decristoforo; Gerhard Ruedl; Martin Burtscher; Maria do Carmo Greier; Klaus Greier; Clemens Drenowatz; Jozef Dudas; Cornelia Decristoforo; Gerhard Ruedl; Martin Burtscher; Maria do Carmo Greier

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2026058

AIMS Public Health

2026, Volume 13, Issue 4: 1132-1148. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2026058

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Research article

Dietary fiber intake, physical fitness, and weight status in 14- to 17-year-old adolescents

1.
Department of Sports Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
2.
Division of Sport, Physical Activity and Health, University of Education Upper Austria, Linz 4020, Austria
3.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria
4.
Department of Pediatrics I, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck 6020, Austria

Received: 21 April 2026 Revised: 23 July 2026 Accepted: 17 August 2026 Published: 13 November 2026

Background
Physical fitness, nutrition, and body weight are important health factors. However, in recent decades, obesity, an unhealthy diet, and declining physical fitness among adolescents have increased. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical fitness and body weight with diet in Austrian adolescents.
Methods
A total of 410 (54.6% female) adolescents between 14 and 17 of age completed four test items (push-ups, sit-ups, standing long jump, and a 6-minute run) from the German Motor Skills Test (DMT 6–18), which measured cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance as well as muscular power. Body height and body weight were measured and the 18-point questionnaire Fiber-Screen was used to determine the daily fiber intake.
Results
The average daily fiber intake of the participants was 14.5 ± 6.0 g/day. Spearman correlation analyses showed a significant inverse association between body weight and fiber consumption (rho = −0.198; p < 0.001), while high physical fitness positively correlated with fiber intake (rho = 0.304; p < 0.001). Non-overweight participants mainly obtained their fiber from fruits, vegetables, and legumes, while overweight/obese students consumed more potatoes and white bread.
Conclusions
A higher body weight and a lower physical fitness are associated with a low fiber intake in adolescents. The results suggest that not only the amount but also the quality of the fiber sources is associated with weight status and physical fitness.
- students,
- motor performance,
- overweight and obese,
- nutrition,
- health
Citation: Klaus Greier, Clemens Drenowatz, Jozef Dudas, Cornelia Decristoforo, Gerhard Ruedl, Martin Burtscher, Maria do Carmo Greier. Dietary fiber intake, physical fitness, and weight status in 14- to 17-year-old adolescents[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2026, 13(4): 1132-1148. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2026058

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Abstract

Background

Physical fitness, nutrition, and body weight are important health factors. However, in recent decades, obesity, an unhealthy diet, and declining physical fitness among adolescents have increased. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical fitness and body weight with diet in Austrian adolescents.

Methods

A total of 410 (54.6% female) adolescents between 14 and 17 of age completed four test items (push-ups, sit-ups, standing long jump, and a 6-minute run) from the German Motor Skills Test (DMT 6–18), which measured cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance as well as muscular power. Body height and body weight were measured and the 18-point questionnaire Fiber-Screen was used to determine the daily fiber intake.

Results

The average daily fiber intake of the participants was 14.5 ± 6.0 g/day. Spearman correlation analyses showed a significant inverse association between body weight and fiber consumption (rho = −0.198; p < 0.001), while high physical fitness positively correlated with fiber intake (rho = 0.304; p < 0.001). Non-overweight participants mainly obtained their fiber from fruits, vegetables, and legumes, while overweight/obese students consumed more potatoes and white bread.

Conclusions

A higher body weight and a lower physical fitness are associated with a low fiber intake in adolescents. The results suggest that not only the amount but also the quality of the fiber sources is associated with weight status and physical fitness.

Authors' contributions

Conceptualization, K.G. and MC.G.; methodology, K.G. Cl.D. and J.D.; formal analysis, K.G., M.B. and Cl.D; writing - original draft preparation, K.G.; writing - review and editing, MC.G., M.B., Co.D., G.R., Cl.D and J.D.; project administration, K.G., G.R. Co.D. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

Klaus Greier is a guest editor for special issue of AIMS Public Health and was not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. Clemens Drenowatz and Martin Burtscher are editorial board members for AIMS Public Health and were not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. All authors declare that there are no competing interests.

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