Body Fat In Adolescents Research Articles

Exploring the reciprocal relationships between body image flexibility and body fat and muscularity dissatisfaction: An 18-month longitudinal study in Chinese adolescents

Body image flexibility has shown robust negative associations with body dissatisfaction. However, research in this area is confined to cross-sectional studies on adults in Western cultural contexts. Responding to these gaps and the unique cultural nuances and increasing prevalence estimates of body dissatisfaction in China, we examined the bi-directional nature of body image flexibility and body fat and muscularity dissatisfaction in Chinese adolescent boys and girls (N = 1381, 57.3 % girls) at two points over 18 months (Wave [W] 1=baseline, W2=18 months later). We also explored sex differences in longitudinal models. In boys, higher W1 body image flexibility was associated with lower W2 body fat dissatisfaction, and higher W1 body fat dissatisfaction was associated with lower W2 body image flexibility. Null prospective associations between body image flexibility and muscularity dissatisfaction were identified in boys. In girls, higher W1 body fat and muscularity body dissatisfaction were associated with lower W2 body image flexibility. Higher W1 body image flexibility was associated with lower W2 body fat and muscularity dissatisfaction in girls. We found no significant sex differences in the models. Findings advance a multicultural understanding of the temporal and bi-directional links between body image flexibility and body fat and muscularity dissatisfaction in Chinese adolescents.

Deteksi Dini Obesitas melalui Pemeriskaan Komposisi Tubuh pada Populasi Usia Produktif di SMAN 75, Jakarta Utara

Body composition, which consists of the proportion of fat, bone, water and muscle, is very important for adolescent health. Adolescence is characterized by significant changes in body composition that are influenced by genetics, hormones, physical activity, and nutrition. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), a non-invasive and cost-effective method, is widely used to assess body composition, including fat mass and fat-free mass. Excess body fat in adolescence is associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. This activity uses the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Action) methodology, which involves the facial skin analysis of 163 participants. According to the examination results, the average total body fat, total subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, and total muscle mass were 24.9%, 21%, 2.5%, and 27.5%, respectively. Early assessment and intervention are essential to prevent health complications. Promoting healthy lifestyles and regularly monitoring body composition can improve adolescent health and prevent future obesity-related morbidity and mortality.

Financial Incentives and Treatment Outcomes in Adolescents With Severe Obesity

Adolescent severe obesity is usually not effectively treated with traditional lifestyle modification therapy. Meal replacement therapy (MRT) shows short-term efficacy for body mass index (BMI; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) reduction in adolescents, and financial incentives (FIs) may be an appropriate adjunct intervention to enhance long-term efficacy. To evaluate the effect of MRT plus FIs vs MRT alone on BMI, body fat, and cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents with severe obesity. This was a randomized clinical trial of MRT plus FIs vs MRT alone at a large academic health center in the Midwest conducted from 2018 to 2022. Participants were adolescents (ages 13-17 y) with severe obesity (≥120% of the 95th BMI percentile based on sex and age or ≥35 BMI, whichever was lower) who were unaware of the FI component of the trial until they were randomized to MRT plus FIs or until the end of the trial. Study staff members collecting clinical measures were blinded to treatment condition. Data were analyzed from March 2022 to February 2024. MRT included provision of preportioned, calorie-controlled meals (~1200 kcals/d). In the MRT plus FI group, incentives were provided based on reduction in body weight from baseline. The primary end point was mean BMI percentage change from randomization to 52 weeks. Secondary end points included total body fat and cardiometabolic risk factors: blood pressure, triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein ratio, heart rate variability, and arterial stiffness. Cost-effectiveness was additionally evaluated. Safety was assessed through monthly adverse event monitoring and frequent assessment of unhealthy weight-control behaviors. Among 126 adolescents with severe obesity (73 female [57.9%]; mean [SD] age, 15.3 [1.2] years), 63 participants received MRT plus FIs and 63 participants received only MRT. At 52 weeks, the mean BMI reduction was greater by -5.9 percentage points (95% CI, -9.9 to -1.9 percentage points; P = .004) in the MRT plus FI compared with the MRT group. The MRT plus FI group had a greater reduction in mean total body fat mass by -4.8 kg (95% CI, -9.1 to -0.6 kg; P = .03) and was cost-effective (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, $39 178 per quality-adjusted life year) compared with MRT alone. There were no significant differences in cardiometabolic risk factors or unhealthy weight-control behaviors between groups. In this study, adding FIs to MRT resulted in greater reductions in BMI and total body fat in adolescents with severe obesity without increased unhealthy weight-control behaviors. FIs were cost-effective and possibly promoted adherence to health behaviors. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03137433.

Association between Physical Activity and Health Outcomes (High Body Fatness, High Blood Pressure) in Namibian Adolescents and Adult women.

Regular physical activity (PA) is known to promote the physical and mental health of children and adolescents and further prevent the development of health problems in adulthood. Information on body composition and PA is crucial for health promotion strategies and for epidemiological studies informing policies. However, there is limited data on the association between body composition and PA in Namibia. This dearth of published data is a significant shortcoming in the development of strategies and policies to promote PA in Namibia. Therefore, this cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the association between PA as a dependent variable and independent variables such as high blood pressure and body fatness as measured by different methods (gold standard deuterium dilution, body mass index, mid upper arm circumference, and waist circumference). The study included 206 healthy adolescent girls aged 13-19 years and 207 young adult females aged 20-40 years from Windhoek, Namibia. PA was measured using the PACE+ questionnaire in adolescents, and the GPAQ questionnaire was used for adults. In adolescents, only 33% of the participants met the recommended guidelines for PA, compared to only 2% for adults. Nevertheless, the study found no statistically significant association between PA and blood pressure indices (p-value < 0.05) among adolescents and adults. However, there was a significant association between PA and high body fatness (p-value < 0.001) and waist circumference (p-value = 0.014) in adolescents. Among adults, PA was significantly related to waist circumference only. In conclusion, failure to meet recommended PA guidelines is strongly associated with abdominal obesity and high body fatness. The knowledge gained from this study may be used by policymakers in the development of strategic policies and interventions aimed at promoting PA as a public priority and improving health outcomes.

Development and Validation of a Simple Equation to Fat Mass and Percentage of Body Fat in Children and Adolescents

Development and Validation of a Simple Equation to Fat Mass and Percentage of Body Fat in Children and Adolescents

О взаимосвязи некоторых антропометрических индексов с биоимпедансной оценкой относительной жировой массы у детей и подростков

Introduction. The study of adiposity in children and adolescents is an important issue in the era of the global epidemic of obesity. Body mass index is the most common, but not the only body fat index. There are also indexes based on waist and hip circumferences. The purpose of this work is to analyze the age variability and correlation between various anthropometric indices and bioimpedance estimates of the percentage of body fat in children and adolescents. Materials and methods. We analyzed the data of children and adolescents of both sexes 7-17 years old, 1885 boys and 1453 girls, collected in the course of cross-sectional anthropological surveys of schoolchildren in Moscow, Arkhangelsk and the Arkhangelsk region. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), hip-to-height ratio (HHtR) were calculated. The percentage of fat mass (% FM) was obtained by bioimpedance with the ABC-01 “Medas” device. Correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between indices and %FM. Results and discussion. The paper analyzes the age-related variability of height and weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, WHR, WHtR, HHtR and % FM in children and adolescents of both sexes. Age-related changes in % FM have clear sex differences. In girls, during puberty, there is an accumulation of fat mass, while in boys – its decrease. Body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, HHtR increase in the process of growth, WHR and WHtR decrease. For all indicators, except for WHR, in boys and girls in younger age groups, correlations with % FM are high and decrease with age, reaching average values. While the correlations of WHR with %FM are weak in all studied age groups. Conclusion. Based on the analysis performed, it is shown that body mass, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI, WHtR, HHtR are good predictors of relative body fat mass, they significantly correlate with % FM, while WHR correlates very weakly. @ 2023. This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license

Anthropometric indicators as discriminators of high body fat in children and adolescents with HIV: comparison with reference methods.

Body fat assessment is needed in individuals with HIV. The objective was to identify the discriminatory capacity of the abdominal skinfold (ASF) tricipital skinfold (TSF), subscapular fold (SSF), calf skinfold (CSF), body adiposity index (BAI), body mass index, conicity index (IC), mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC), waist circumference (WC), perimeter of neck (PN) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) for high body fat in children and adolescents with HIV, compared Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP). Descriptive study, cross - sectional study, with 65 children and adolescents with HIV by vertical transmission. Body fat was measured by DXA and ADP. Measures were measured by international standardization. The diagnostic properties for high body fat were assessed by area under the ROC curve (AUC). For boys, having DXA as a reference for fat, ASF (AUC: 0.920), TSF (AUC: 0.792), SSF (AUC: 0.766), CSF (AUC: 0.866), BAI satisfactory discriminatory capacity. With ADP as the reference method, ASF (AUC: 0.920), TSF (AUC: 0.921), SSF (AUC: 0.766), CSF (AUC: 0.901), BAI (AUC: 0.756) and BMI (AUC: 0.699) presented satisfactory results. For girls, having DXA as a reference for fat, ASF (AUC: 0.838), TSF (AUC: 0.842), SSF (AUC: 0.840), CSF (AUC: 0.887), BAI (AUC: 0.846), and BMI (AUC: 0.859) presented satisfactory discriminatory capacity. Assuming ADP as a reference for fat, ASF (AUC [AUC: 0.799], TSF [AUC: 0.825], SSF [AUC: 0.767], CSF [AUC: 0.897], BAI 0.788), were satisfactory. The ASF, TSF, SSF, CSF, BAI and BMI anthropometric indicators may be suggested as the most suitable for the detection of high body fat in children and adolescents with HIV.

The Effects of COVID-19 Virtual Learning on Body Fat and Insulin Resistance in Adolescents with Overweight or Obesity.

(1) Background: COVID-19 virtual learning reduced structural supports for adolescent physical activity and diet, threatening metabolic health, especially in teens with overweight or obesity (OWOB). (2) Methods: Adolescents (N = 14) with OWOB completed fasting blood draws (measuring insulin resistance, IR) and Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA, measuring total body fat percent, TBF%) pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19. Changes in TBF% and IR were calculated (1) pre-COVID-19 and (2) from pre-COVID-19 to during COVID-19. Age and body mass index (BMI) percentile-matched data assessed normative changes across similar, non-COVID-19 time periods. Paired t-tests compared TBF% change pre- to during COVID-19 with (1) TBF% change pre-COVID19 and (2) TBF% normative change. Two ANCOVAs compared IR change pre- to during COVID-19 with (1) IR change pre-COVID-19 controlling for BMI z-score and difference in time between assessments and (2) normative change in IR controlling for sex/race. (3) Results: The TBF% change pre-COVID-19 and the normative change were similar. The TBF% increased more (~six percentage points) during COVID-19 compared to normative change (p < 0.01). During COVID-19, IR increased more (~2.5 units) than change pre-COVID-19 (p = 0.03) and increased more (~3.5 units) than normative change (p = 0.01). (4) Conclusions: TBF% and IR increased exponentially during COVID-19 in teens with OWOB compared to pre-COVID-19 and normative changes.

1112-P: Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 Is Directly Correlated with Body Fat, Metabolic Dysfunction, and Inflammation in Children and Adolescents

Purpose: Childhood obesity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease. Elevated soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) is associated with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in adults, and is used as a biomarker of cardiometabolic disease. Such biomarkers play an important role in the management of obesity and cardiometabolic disease. In this cross-sectional study, we examined the levels of circulating sST2 in children and adolescents, as well as its association with inflammatory and metabolic markers. Methods: A total of 85 children and adolescents (aged 5-16 years) were included. Participants' characteristics included being of normal weight (body mass index, BMI &amp;lt;85th percentile; n=13), overweight (BMI 85-94th percentile; n=2), or obese (BMI ≥95th percentile; n=70; a total of 8 with confirmed T2D). Clinical and biochemical markers (including plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, vitamin D, and lipid, liver, and renal profiles) were assessed using established procedures on peripheral blood samples. The levels of sST2, interleukin (IL)-33, IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, and adiponectin, were quantified using commercially available ELISA kits. Results: sST2 level was directly correlated with body fat % (r=0.3, P=0.016, n=64) and fat to muscle ratio (r=0.37, P=0.01, n=45), but inversely correlated with muscle mass % (r=-0.34, P=0.02, n=45). sST2 level was directly correlated with insulin (r=0.29, P=0.04, n=50), HbA1c (r=0.29, P=0.04, n=51), and urea (r=-0.34, P=0.01, n=54). sST2 level was directly correlated with the inflammatory markers CRP (r=0.34, P=0.008, n=59) and IL-6 (r=0.32, P=0.0045, n=77). The data were consistent after adjustment for age and sex. Conclusion: Increased circulating levels of sST2 is associated with increased body fat, metabolic dysfunction, and inflammation in children and adolescents. Disclosure A.Hasan: None. S.P.Kochumon: None. I.D.Albasiri: None. F.Almulla: None. R.Ahmad: None. Funding The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (RA2011-018)

Is early or late biological maturation trigger obesity? A machine learning modeling research in Turkey boys and girls.

Biological maturation status can affect individual differences, sex, height, body fat, and body weight in adolescents and thus may be associated with obesity. The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between biological maturation and obesity. Overall, 1,328 adolescents (792 boys and 536 girls) aged 12.00 ± 0.94-12.21 ± 0.99 years, respectively (measured for body mass, body stature, sitting stature). Body weights were deter-mined with Tanita body analysis system and adolescent obesity status was calculated according to the WHO classification. Biological maturation was determined according to the somatic maturation method. Our results showed that boys mature 3.077-fold later than girls. Obesity was an increasing effect on early maturation. It was determined that being obese, overweight and healthy-weight increased the risk of early maturation 9.80, 6.99 and 1.81-fold, respectively. The equation of the model predicting maturation is: Logit (P) = 1/(1 + exp. (- (-31.386 + sex-boy * (1.124) + [chronological age = 10] * (-7.031) + [chronological age = 11] * (-4.338) + [chronological age = 12] * (-1.677) + age * (-2.075) + weight * 0.093 + height * (-0.141) + obesity * (-2.282) + overweight * (-1.944) + healthy weight * (-0.592)))). Logistic regression model predicted maturity with 80.7% [95% CI: 77.2-84.1%] accuracy. In addition, the model had a high sensitivity value (81.7% [76.2-86.6%]), which indicates that the model can successfully distinguish adolescents with early maturation. In conclusion, sex and obesity are independent predictors of maturity, and the risk of early maturation is increased, especially in the case of obesity and in girls.

Diagnostic performance of anthropometric indicators used to assess excess body fat in adolescence.

Objective:To compare the performance of anthropometric indicators that identify excess body fat (BF) in adolescents.Methods:This is a methodological study that used probability cluster sampling through school and class draws. Data collection included sociodemographic characteristics and anthropometric measures. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WtHR), conicity index (C index), and waist circumference (WC) were calculated. Body fat percentage (BF%) was calculated from skinfold thickness and used as the gold standard. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, and Youden’s index were used, in addition to correlation coefficient calculation between the indicators and BF%.Results:A total of 997 adolescents enrolled in municipal secondary schools participated in the study. By calculating the BMI, we found that 10.6% of adolescents were overweight, and 4.7% were obese. BMI, WC, and WtHR had the highest accuracy to predict body fatness. All the anthropometric indicators had higher specificity than sensitivity to diagnose excess BF in males. WC had the highest sensitivity in both genders. C index had the smallest area under the ROC curve and the lowest sensitivity in both genders, but its specificity was equivalent to that of the other indicators.Conclusions:BMI, WtHR, and WC were the best anthropometric indicators to predict excess BF in adolescents and had the best correlation coefficients. These tools can be considered in the screening to detect excess BF in adolescents.

Associations between dietary intake and physical activity, as behavioral indicators, with body fat in adolescents from Mexico.

the prevention of cardiometabolic diseases is currently a priority due to its relationship with COVID-19 complications. Unhealthy lifestyles, like inadequate diet and physical inactivity, are the cornerstone for obesity and cardiometabolic risk. to examine the association between diet and physical activity with body fat in Mexican adolescents. the study was cross-sectional. Data included socio-demographic variables, health history and smoking habit obtained through questionnaires; blood pressure and anthropometry measurements; food and nutrient intake through 24-hour recalls; and physical activities through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Univariate analyses were used and multiple models were built by stepwise forward selection (p ≤ 0.05 and biological plausibility). participants were n = 230 students, 18.5 ± 0.4 years and 54.8 % men. Three models associated with body fat were obtained. In the first model, saturated fatty acids (β = 0.30, p = 0.028) were significant positive associated, while vigorous physical activity was significant negative associated as a protective factor (β = -0.007, p = 0.023). In the second model, total fat (β = 0.17, p = 0.005) was significant positive associated, and vigorous physical activity was significant negative associated (β = -0.007, p = 0.023). The third model included fruits and vegetables (β = -5.49, p = 0.092) and vigorous physical activity (β = -0.006, p = 0.058) as protective factors. dietary intake of total fat and saturated fatty acids, and vigorous physical activity, were significantly associated with body fat, while fruits and vegetables trended toward significance, in Mexican adolescents. Community-based programs that promote intake of protective foods and reduction of risky foods, and encourage vigorous physical activity, are needed in adolescents.

Association between lipid and glycemic profile and total body and trunk fat in children and adolescents diagnosed with HIV+

Metabolic alterations and body fat redistribution are common in people living with HIV using antiretroviral therapy and increase the risk of premature cardiovascular diseases. To verify the presence of difference in the lipid and glycemic profile in relation to different total body and trunk fat phenotypes in children and adolescents diagnosed with HIV+. This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 62 children and adolescents diagnosed with HIV+. Lipid and glycemic profiles were obtained from blood samples. Total and trunk fat mass (FM) was obtained by DXA. Analysis of covariance was used to verify if there is difference in the lipid and glycemic profile between total body and trunk fat phenotypes. In males, in the covariate-adjusted model, it was observed that boys with high total FM had higher triglyceride values (mean: 164.9 mg/dl-1 ±31.2) compared to those with low and adequate total FM. In females, in adjusted models, it was observed that girls with high total FM had higher total cholesterol (mean: 181.6 mg/dl-1 ±13.8) and LDL-C values (mean: 111.8 mg/dl-1 ±12.0), compared to those with low and adequate total FM. Girls with trunk FM had higher total cholesterol (mean: 181.6 mg/dl-1±13.8), LDL-C (mean: 71.3 mg/dl-1±9.6) and blood glucose values (91.6 mg/dl-1±2.2). Boys with high total FM had higher triglyceride levels, while in females, it was observed that girls with high total FM and high trunk FM had higher total cholesterol, LDL-C and blood glucose values. High body fat in children and adolescents living with HIV is related to metabolic changes in the lipid and glycemic profile, with specificities of sex and fat location.

The Association between Body Weight Misclassification in Adolescence and Body Fat and Waist Circumference in Adulthood: A Longitudinal Study.

This study examined the longitudinal association between adolescent body weight misclassifications and body fat and waist circumference during adulthood. A sample was derived from a large Australian birth cohort study. The data analyses were restricted to 1002 participants for whom data on both measured and perceived weight at a 14-year follow-up and the actual measure of adult body fat and waist circumference at a 30-year follow-up were available. To determine misclassifications, we compared the perceived weight with the measured weight. The results were presented as means and mean differences (with a 95% confidence interval) of the body fat percentages and waist circumference levels across the weight misclassification groups, adjusting for potential covariates. For both male and female adolescents, weight underestimation was significantly associated with an increase in body fat percentages and waist circumference in adulthood as compared to those who correctly estimated their weight. In the mean difference analyses, adolescent males and females who underestimated their weight were found to have significantly higher body fat, and waist circumference means than those who correctly estimated their weight in the unadjusted and adjusted comparisons. The adolescent males who overestimated their weight had higher body fat, and waist circumference means when they reached adulthood. Increased awareness of weight misclassification and actual weight among adolescents might contribute to better control of weight gain in adulthood.

Reference Ranges of Body Composition Using Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry and Its Relation to Tri-Ponderal Mass Index

Introduction/background Increased body fat is related to obesity and its comorbidities later in life. To determine the amount of body fat in children and adolescents, reference intervals should be applied. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is a good tool for accurately measuring body composition. Methodology The body composition reference ranges in Korean children and adolescents were determined using nationally representative cross-sectional data. The performances of the body mass index (BMI) and tri-ponderal mass index (TMI) in measuring body fat were compared using the reference percentiles derived from this analysis. Results A total of 1,661 subjects (891 boys and men and 770 girls and women) were included. Age- and sex-specific percentiles and the corresponding LMS variables for DXA-assessed parameters for the whole body and the trunk were determined. The coefficients of determination of the whole body FM SDS and FMI SDS for the BMI SDS were 0.783 and 0.784, respectively, and those for the TMI SDS were 0.685 and 0.769, respectively. Conclusion Based on the reference values for body composition, the correlation coefficients of TMI for adjusted FM measured by DXA were comparable to those of BMI. TMI estimated body fat levels more accurately than BMI in this study population.

Effects of Strength Training on Body Fat in Children and Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Childhood overweight and obesity represent a growing public health problem worldwide. Since the 1980s, the global prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence has increased by 47%. The promotion of exercise is an important intervention to reduce the physical damage of obesity. The meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the general guidelines for the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). The PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases were searched from August to December 2021. The search yielded 722 titles published between 2000 and 2021. After screening the titles and abstracts, 64 duplicate articles were detected, and 27 articles were ultimately included in the systematic review, including 26 articles published in English and one published in Spanish. There was a statistically significant effect of the strength training interventions on the percentage of body fat, Test of 0 i = (p = 0.00, z = 6.92), Test of 0 = (p = 0.00, Q (9) = 42.63). The findings reveal that strength training has a positive impact on the treatment of body fat in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Equations based on anthropometric measurements for adipose tissue, body fat, or body density prediction in children and adolescents: a scoping review.

Assessing the body composition of children and adolescents is important to monitor their health status. Anthropometric measurements are feasible and less-expensive than other techniques for body composition assessment. This study aimed to systematically map anthropometric equations to predict adipose tissue, body fat, or density in children and adolescents, and to analyze methodological aspects of the development of anthropometric equations using skinfolds. A scoping review was carried out following the PRISMA-ScR criteria. The search was carried out in eight databases. The methodological structure protocol of this scoping review was retrospectively registered in the Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/35uhc/ ). We included 78 reports and 593 anthropometric equations. The samples consisted of healthy individuals, people with different diseases or disabilities, and athletes from different sports. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was the reference method most commonly used in developing equations. Triceps and subscapular skinfolds were the anthropometric measurements most frequently used as predictors in the equations. Age, stage of sexual maturation, and peak height velocity were used as complementary variables in the equations. Our scoping review identified equations proposed for children and adolescents with a great diversity of characteristics. In many of the reports, important methodological aspects were not addressed, a factor that may be associated with equation bias. Evidence obtained from multiple time series analysis such as case studies. (NB: dramatic results in uncontrolled trials might also be regarded as this type of evidence).

Recreational Soccer, Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Health: A Training-Intervention Study in Healthy Adolescents

Recreational soccer (RS) is widely used for adolescents as a physical activity method. However, its impact on physical fitness, body composition and metabolic health in adolescents has not been extensively examined yet. The purpose of the present study was to examine the contribution of changes in body fatness and aerobic capacity to modifications in circulating blood lipids profile, following 8-weeks of RS in healthy youth. Fifty-three healthy male adolescents were separated in three groups: one performed RS (3 times x 60 min/week); the other two were served as control groups [soccer-specific training (SST) one and inactive one]. Physical fitness, body composition and blood lipids and glucose responses were evaluated before and after 8-weeks of exercise intervention. Post-intervention body weight and body fat percentage (BF%) were lowered, while physical fitness was improved (p < 0.05) in SST group only. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was higher (n² = .378) and total cholesterol (TC)/HDL-C ratio was lower (n² = .195) in the SST group relative to RS and inactive groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, although RS may improve aerobic capacity, relative to inactive control group, it does not influence body fatness and cardiometabolic health in adolescents. Consequently, RS may not secure health benefit during the crucial transition period from adolescence to adulthood.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BODY FAT DISTRIBUTION AND BONE MINERAL CONTENT IN CHINESE ADOLESCENTS

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between body fat distribution and bone mineral content (BMC), and gender difference among Chinese adolescents. Design and method: A total of 1575 adolescents aged 12–18 were randomly selected in China by stratified cluster sampling. BMC and body fat distribution indexes, included fat mass (FM), appendicular fat mass (AFM), and trunk fat mass (TFM), were measured by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Results: Except for limb to total fat ratio (LTFR), girls’ FM, AFM, TFM, trunk to total fat ratio (TrTFR) and trunk to limb fat ratio (TrLFR) were higher than boys (P values &lt; 0.05). There was a statistically significant negative correlation between LTFR and BMC (boys: r = -0.630, girls: r = -0.351), while other indexes were positively correlated with BMC (all P values &lt; 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that the higher BMC in the fourth tertile of TrTFR was 34.23 (17.49, 67.00) times versus that of the control group in boys. Similarly, the higher BMC in the fourth tertile of TrLFR was 45.09 (5.84,348.38) times than that in the control group in girls (P value &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: There are gender differences in the distribution of body fat in Chinese adolescents. And during this period, higher central fat mass has a positive effect on the accumulation of BMC.

Associations between the dietary inflammatory index with obesity and body fat in male adolescents

BackgroundObesity and body composition may be affected by the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory components of diets. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and body fat percentage (BF%) in male adolescents.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out on 535 adolescent boys in Tehran, Iran. Bio-impedance analyzer (BIA) scale was used to measure body mass index (BMI) and body composition. A validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to measure DII.ResultsParticipants with higher BF% (≥ 19.2%) had higher BMI (P < 0.001), DII, and intake of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), compared with the participants with lower BF%. Participants with a lower DII had significantly higher intakes of fibers (P < 0.001) and lower intakes of fats, SFAs, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), oleic acid and linoleic acid (P < 0.05) compared with the participants with higher DII (P < 0.01). High BF% was positively associated to DII (OR = 1.6, CI 95%: 1.1–2.3, P = 0.019). Adjustments for age, BMI, physical activity, mothers’ marital status and educational level and the number of siblings did not change the results.ConclusionsFollowing a diet with a low inflammatory index score was associated to lower BF% in male adolescents. Thus, a diet rich in anti-inflammatory factors may effectively improve body composition and prevent obesity in adolescents. Further comprehensive studies are necessary to verify these findings and to identify the underlying mechanisms.