Non-traditional markers of metabolic risk in prepubertal children with different levels of cardiorespiratory fitness

Abstract

Objective: To assess classical and non-classical metabolic risk biomarkers in prepubertal children with different levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Design: CRF was assessed by the 20 m shuttle run test. To estimate physical activity, participants were observed while engaged in an after-school programme. Additionally, a short test based on a validated questionnaire was used to obtain information about physical activity practice and sedentary habits. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, and classical and non-traditional metabolic risk biomarkers -plasma lipid profile, glucose and insulin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), plasma uric acid, transaminases and C-reactive protein (CRP) -were measured. Setting: The study was conducted in local elementary schools in Córdoba, Spain. Subjects: One hundred and forty-one healthy children (eighty-eight boys, fiftythree girls) aged 7-12 years, in Tanner stage I, were recruited. They were divided into two groups after they performed the 20 m shuttle run test: equal or higher cardiovascular fitness (EHCF) group and low cardiovascular fitness (LCF) group. Results: The LCF group displayed significantly higher TAG (P 5 0?004) and lower HDL cholesterol levels (P 5 0?001), as well as significantly lower values for the non-traditional lipid marker apo-A1 (P 5 0?001) compared with the EHCF group. The LCF children displayed higher plasma glucose (P 5 0?003) and insulin levels, higher HOMA-IR scores (P , 0?001) and higher plasma uric acid and CRP levels (P , 0?05). After adjustment for BMI, age and sex, no statistically significant differences were found between groups for the biomarkers analysed. Conclusions: The study provides new information to understand the role not only of weight status but also of the level of CRF on the metabolic health profile of prepubertal children. Keywords Physical fitness Physical activity Metabolic biomarkers ChildhoodThe metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to the clustering of cardiovascular risk factors driven by peripheral insulin resistance. Data from recent studies involving a population of children and adolescents indicate that the prevalence of MetS varies between 3 % and 12 % (1)

Proteína C-reativa, atividade física e aptidão cardiorrespiratória em adolescentes portugueses: um estudo transversal

“…However, Owen et al 22 , in the CHASE study, reported a strong association between PA measured objectively and CRP in a sample of Caucasian-European, Southern-Asiatic, and Afro-Caribbean children. While some studies with young subjects find negative associations between PA or cardiorespiratory fitness and CRP 2,22,23,24,25,26,27 , others do not 21,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36 . Moreover, in many of these studies, the results are not presented independently from the body mass index (BMI), a potentially confounding variable of the relationship between CRP and PA or cardiorespiratory fitness 37 .…”

Lifestyle and awareness of cholesterol blood levels among 29159 community school children in Italy

“…It seems also that the sedentary lifestyle itself increases the risks of prematurely developing atherosclerosis and other diseases (38). One study showed that even healthy and normal weight children who were classified as having low cardiorespiratory fitness had worse metabolic and inflammatory profiles than those with better fitness (39). Longitudinal studies showed that, for obese children, physical training might improve endothelial function regardless of changes in BMI or body weight (40)(41)(42).…”

Adiposity as a full mediator of the influence of cardiorespiratory fitness and inflammation in schoolchildren: The FUPRECOL Study

“…Several studies suggest that cardiorespiratory fitness may have a protective effect on chronic inflammation in the paediatric population [10,11]. Similarly, some [34] but not all [35] studies in youths have shown that those with low levels of adiposity and low cardiorespiratory fitness were at greater cardiovascular risk than high-adiposity adolescents with adequate cardiorespiratory fitness.…”

“…Studies in the paediatric population have shown an inconsistent association between cardiorespiratory fitness and inflammation independent of adiposity [11,12]. The HELENA Study conducted in ten European countries with 1025 adolescents aged 12.5e17.5 years, showed a negative association between hs-CRP and cardiorespiratory fitness; when BMI was included as a variable of adjustment, the values decreased, but still remained significant [12].…”

“…However, such associations are not well established in youth populations. Some studies have showed negative associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and hs-CRP [10,11], whereas others have not [12,13]. Moreover, in many of these studies, the results are not presented independently of adiposity, a potential confounder or mediator variable of the relationship between hs-CRP and cardiorespiratory fitness [2].…”