Abstract
Backgrounds/ObjectivesCardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body fat play an important role in elevated risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the combined effects of CRF and obesity on metabolic health in Chinese children are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the independent and combined associations between body fat, CRF, and CVD risk in Chinese schoolchildren.MethodsThe study subjects comprised 676 schoolchildren (392 boys and 284 girls, aged 9.6±0.7 yrs old) in Wuhan, China. Their body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), CRF, blood pressure (BP), lipids, glucose, and pubertal status were assessed. Children were categorized into different groups based on their BMI, WC, and CRF using Chinese obesity cut-off points and CRF sex-specific median points. Metabolic Risk Score (MRS) was computed based on the standardized scores of BP, lipids, and glucose.ResultsMultiple linear regression models showed that, in the separate models, body fat was positively associated with MRS while CRF was inversely associated with MRS (p<0.001). However, when assessed simultaneously, only body fat had a significant association with MRS (p<0.001). In general, low-fit children had a lower MRS compared to their counterparts, and a significant difference between the two extreme groups was observed (low CRF and high fat vs. high CRF and low fat, p<0.001).ConclusionsThese findings suggest that both body fat and CRF should be considered when interpreting CVD risk in Chinese children, while body fat may be correlated with CVD risk more than CRF.
Highlights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is mainly prevalent in adults, a previous study suggested that the precursors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) originate in children and adolescents [1]
One study found a significant association between childhood adiposity and unfavorable metabolic profiles [5], whereas the other suggested that the influence of body fat might be attenuated by high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) [6]
In the separate multiple linear regression models, body fat (BMI/waist circumference (WC)) was significantly positively while fitness was inversely associated with Metabolic Risk Score (MRS)
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is mainly prevalent in adults, a previous study suggested that the precursors of CVD originate in children and adolescents [1]. Risk factors for CVD including hypertension, obesity, physical inactivity, and low physical fitness have been found to track from childhood to adulthood [2]. Epidemiological researches have found that obesity and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) plays a pivotal role in the prevalence of CVD. Two longitudinal studies have shown that low CRF was a strong and independent predictor of metabolic health in adults [3,4]. One study found a significant association between childhood adiposity and unfavorable metabolic profiles [5], whereas the other suggested that the influence of body fat might be attenuated by high CRF [6]
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