Metabolic Health In Children Research Articles

Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Spanish Children Aged 11-13 Years

Introduction and objectivesThe prevalence of childhood obesity has increased in recent decades. The aim was to determine whether a 3-month intervention on daily physical activity at school could affect body weight and cardiovascular risk factors associated with childhood obesity. MethodsA total of 137 children (12[1] years old) volunteered to participate in an observational cross-sectional study. Children were allowed to join one of the following groups: a) sedentary group (2h/week of physical education at school); b) active group (2h/week of physical education at school plus 3h/week extra physical activity), and c) sports group (2h/week of physical education at school plus 5h/week extra physical activity). Anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure, physical condition (estimated by the Course-Navette test), and biochemical parameters related with cardiovascular risk factors were determined. ResultsBody weight, body mass index, waist circumference, sum of skinfold thickness, body fat percentage, and fat mass index of children were decreased with high physical activity level, whereas body water content significantly increased with activity. Parameters related with cardiovascular risk —triglycerides, insulin, systolic blood pressure, and homeostatic model assessment index— presented lower values in the sports group. Maximal oxygen uptake and maximum heart rate (Course Navette test) progressively increased with activity. Children participating in a total of 7h/week of physical activity presented significantly lower oddsratio of having high levels of the following cardiovascular risk factors: waist circumference, fat mass index, and homeostatic model assessment index. ConclusionsPhysical activity is important for metabolic health in children. Children with higher levels of physical activity presented better anthropometric and biochemical profiles.

Actividad física y factores de riesgo cardiovascular de niños españoles de 11-13 años

Introduction and objectivesThe prevalence of childhood obesity has increased in recent decades. The aim was to determine whether a 3-month intervention on daily physical activity at school could affect body weight and cardiovascular risk factors associated with childhood obesity. MethodsA total of 137 children (12[1] years old) volunteered to participate in an observational cross-sectional study. Children were allowed to join one of the following groups: a) sedentary group (2h/week of physical education at school); b) active group (2h/week of physical education at school plus 3h/week extra physical activity), and c) sports group (2h/week of physical education at school plus 5h/week extra physical activity). Anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure, physical condition (estimated by the Course-Navette test), and biochemical parameters related with cardiovascular risk factors were determined. ResultsBody weight, body mass index, waist circumference, sum of skinfold thickness, body fat percentage, and fat mass index of children were decreased with high physical activity level, whereas body water content significantly increased with activity. Parameters related with cardiovascular risk —triglycerides, insulin, systolic blood pressure, and homeostatic model assessment index— presented lower values in the sports group. Maximal oxygen uptake and maximum heart rate (Course Navette test) progressively increased with activity. Children participating in a total of 7h/week of physical activity presented significantly lower odds ratio of having high levels of the following cardiovascular risk factors: waist circumference, fat mass index, and homeostatic model assessment index. ConclusionsPhysical activity is important for metabolic health in children. Children with higher levels of physical activity presented better anthropometric and biochemical profiles.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org

Recommended aerobic fitness level for metabolic health in children and adolescents: a study of diagnostic accuracy

Recommended aerobic fitness level for metabolic health in children and adolescents: a study of diagnostic accuracy

Recommended aerobic fitness level for metabolic health in children and adolescents: a study of diagnostic accuracy

Recommended aerobic fitness level for metabolic health in children and adolescents: a study of diagnostic accuracy

Recommended aerobic fitness level for metabolic health in children and adolescents: a study of diagnostic accuracy

ObjectiveTo define the optimal cut-off for low aerobic fitness and to evaluate its accuracy to predict clustering of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents.DesignStudy of diagnostic accuracy...

Sugar intake and cardio metabolic risk factors in high BMI African American children

AimTo evaluate the relationship between intakes of subgroups of energy‐providing carbohydrate, and markers of cardio metabolic risk factors in high BMI African American (AA) children.MethodsA cross sectional analysis was performed on data from a sample of 9–11 year old children (n=80) with BMI greater then the 85th percentile. Fasting hematological and biochemical values for selected markers were related to carbohydrates intake.ResultsAfter adjusting for gender, pubertal stage and WC, multivariate regression analysis showed that higher intakes of carbohydrate energy (fat and protein held constant) were associated with higher VLDL‐C, IDL‐C, TG and hepatic insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR). After dividing carbohydrate into non‐sugar versus sugars, both groups contributed to increased VLDL‐C, IDL‐C & TG whereas increased sugars accounted for the higher HOMA‐IR and lower adipocyte FA insulin sensitivity (ISI‐FFA). Further dividing sugar into the food group showed that sugar from the candy/soda was associated with increased TG and sugars from the fruit and dairy was associated with lower ISI‐FFA.ConclusionsIncreased intakes of carbohydrates from many subgroups are significantly associated with increases in key markers of cardio metabolic risk in high BMI AA children. This analysis suggests that increases in many types and sources of carbohydrate energy may be detrimental to cardio metabolic health in children.

Insomnia of childhood

Insomnia is a major public health problem and is the most common sleep disturbance in both adults and children. The causes of sleeplessness are age-dependent and have potentially enormous effects on cognitive development, behavior, family dynamics, and the metabolic health of children. Here we review the epidemiology, cause, pathophysiology, and clinical approach to pediatric insomnia. Normal sleep is crucial for brain function, behavior, and normal metabolism. Consistently, sleep loss has been linked to behavioral and attention problems, impaired learning and memory, obesity, and psychiatric disorders. The neurological mechanisms that govern sleep initiation and maintenance are poorly understood. The types of insomnia are age-dependent and can occur as primary disorders, or in the context of another primary sleep disorder such as restless legs syndrome, or secondary to another underlying medical condition. Children with chronic diseases and especially children with neurodevelopmental disorders are at particular risk of insomnia. Pediatric insomnia is common and is a source of potential psychophysiological stress to both children and their caregivers. The causes of insomnia are various. Pediatricians should have a working knowledge of the causes of sleeplessness in order to promptly curtail the chronic effects of sleep loss and effectively screen for underlying, potentially treatable disorders.

Dairy Intake, Obesity, and Metabolic Health in Children and Adolescents: Knowledge and Gaps

There is an urgent need to identify nutrition-related risk factors for obesity and the metabolic syndrome, because the prevalence of these conditions continues to rise among children and adolescents. While some studies suggest that dairy and calcium intake may attenuate obesity and the metabolic syndrome, others do not support these findings. In addition, very little research has been done in children and adolescents, especially in minority youth, who are at the greatest risk for obesity and metabolic dysfunctions. Longitudinal studies examining the role of dairy intake in relation to changes in body composition and metabolic profiles during growth are also critically needed. Of the studies conducted thus far, part of the discrepancy in findings may be due to the uncertainty over whether the effect of dairy intake is independent of energy intake or other eating pattern variables. Further, there is no consensus on how to qualify (i.e., which foods) or quantify (i.e., which cutoffs and/or units) dairy consumption. The widespread problem of implausible dietary reporting in observational studies and the lack of compliance monitoring in intervention trials may also contribute to inconsistent findings. Given the lack of consensus on the effect of dairy, particularly in children and adolescents, more research is warranted before any recommendations can be made on dietary guidelines, policies, and interventions.

Dairy Intake, Obesity, and Metabolic Health in Children and Adolescents: Knowledge and Gaps

Dairy Intake, Obesity, and Metabolic Health in Children and Adolescents: Knowledge and Gaps