Abstract
Abstract Aims: To analyze the association between the percentage of body fat and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with cardiovascular risk factors in children, and; to examine whether percentage of body fat acts as a mediator on the association between CRF and cardiovascular risk factor. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 128 children aged 7-11 years (Mean 8.54, SD: 1.42). The following variables were evaluated: the percentage of body fat, CRF, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol. For statistical analysis were performed Partial correlation and mediation analysis. All analysis was adjusted for sex, age and height. Results: CRF, the percentage of body fat, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and TG showed a correlation between each other. Percentage of body fat mediated the association between CRF and MAP (Indirect Effect= -0.008; IC: -0.0159 -0.0030), explaining 29% of this association. However, it was found that the percentage of body fat was not a mediator of the association between CRF and TG. Conclusion: The percentage of body fat mediates the association between CRF and MAP. Our findings show that the importance of a healthy body composition for the prevention of high blood pressure levels in childhood as well as the relevance of physical activity on these parameters.
Highlights
The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been increasing all over the world[1]
Our study shows that %BF and Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were associated with TG and mean arterial pressure (MAP)
The mediation analyses disclosed that %BF was a mediator in the relationship between CRF and MAP and the estimated percentage of total effect mediated by %BF was 29%
Summary
The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been increasing all over the world[1]. The presence of risk factors for CVD in children and adolescents has more clearly been identified over the last 20 years[2]. This kind of disease were considered a concern for the adult population, studies have observed that many cardiometabolic abnormalities, including dyslipidemias, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus have its origin during childhood[3]. Studies have shown that there is an association between low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and CVD risk factors in children and adolescent[6,7]. A mediation analysis revealed that BMI has a powerful influence on the relationship between CRF and metabolic syndrome in schoolchildren[11]. Considering percentage of body fat (%BF) could provide more precise information regarding adiposity influence on the association between CRF and CVD, the study aimed: 1) To analyze the association between percentage of body fat and CRF with cardiovascular risk factors in children; and 2) To examine whether percentage of body fat acts as a mediator on the association between CRF and cardiovascular risk factors
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