The aim of this work is to estimate the frequency of overweight and obesity phenomena among 6-7 y. o. rural and urban children and to assess physical fitness and body posture of these girls and boys against a background of peers.
Material and methods: The researches were conducted on 524 children: 279 boys and 245 girls from village and city. The used methods were: anthropometric measurements (body height and mass), simple physical fitness tests, the examination of body posture, poll technique and basic statistical methods.
Results: Altogether 9,9% of children from examined group are burdened with overweight or obesity. The analysis shows that this phenomenon is more typical for boys than for girls and that the frequency of overweight and obesity is similar in rural and urban environment. Generally socio-economic and educational status of their families is an average or moderately profitable, in most. The physical fitness level of these children is lower as against a group of peers. Crooked knees, deeper lordosis curve, emphasized stomach and buttocks, platypodia and flat-crooked feet occur more often than among the rest 6-7 y.o. examined girls and boys.
Conclusions: Negative consequences of somatic disturbances were noticed in health school readiness of overweight and obese children. These effects manifest themselves in lower physical fitness and worse quality of body posture, against a group of peers. Family and school environment should make an effort to counteract overweight and obesity and to support posture genesis of children with this health problem.