Normal Weight Boys Research Articles

Variations in Central Adiposity, Cardiovascular Fitness, and Objectively Measured Physical Activity According to Weight Status in Children (9-11 Years).

The purpose of this study was twofold: first, to compare the central adiposity (CA), cardiovascular fitness (CF), and physical activity (PA) in children with different weight status, and second, to determine the associations between moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and measures of adiposity [CA and body mass index (BMI)] and CF. A sample of 244 children (boys = 120 and girls = 124), 9.7–10.8 years of age (10.3 ± 0.3 years), was measured for stature, body mass, waist circumferences, and 20-m multi-stage fitness test. PA was recorded with ankle mounted accelerometer. BMI groups were used to classify children as underweight (UW), normal weight (NW), and overweight (OW). The prevalence of being OW was 21.7 and 25% in boys and girls, respectively. Only 5.3% of the participants were found to accumulate recommended amount (≥60 min/day) of MVPA. Boys were significantly outperformed girls in terms of CF. Moreover, they were significantly more engaged in moderate and vigorous physical activities than girls. Regardless of gender, results indicated that OW children had significantly higher values in all anthropometric parameters and lower level of CF than their UW and NW counterparts. In girls, OW children were found to accrue less time engaging in MVPA than the children in UW and NW groups. In boys, OW children were found to accrue less time engaging in vigorous activities than UW and NW children. Results also showed that there were no significant differences between UW and NW girls and boys in respect to CF. Besides, UW girls were found to accrue more time engaging in MVPA than NW girls. MVPA was found to be significantly and negatively correlated with BMI and waist circumference and significantly and positively correlated with CF in both boys and girls. These discrepancies and associations highlight the considerable influences of MVPA on weight status and CF in children.

Differences in the Physical Activity, Sedentary Time, and BMI of Finnish Grade 5 Students.

This study examined the distribution of objectively measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary time of fifth-grade students during school, leisure time, and physical education (PE) classes. Demographic, anthropometric, and PA data were collected from 17 representative Finnish schools. To estimate the PA and sedentary time, participants (N = 592) wore wGT3X-BT ActiGraphs for 7 consecutive days. Comparisons were made between genders and different BMI groups. From the study sample, 43.7% met the moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) guidelines. Participants spent 62.2% of the day sedentary and 8.2% in moderate and vigorous activities. Boys performed more MVPA than girls, and girls were more sedentary during school days. Boys had more MVPA than girls in leisure time, but there were no differences in sedentary time. However, an examination of PA assessed during PE classes revealed no differences between boys and girls. Normal-weight boys engaged in more MVPA than overweight and obese boys. No differences were found for girls. The PE levels differ between different BMI groups in leisure time and during school but not during PE lessons. PA for overweight children should be targeted and compulsory PE time should be increased to achieve the PA guidelines.

RISK OF BLOOD PRESSURE MISCLASSIFICATION IN TALL BOYS ACROSS DEVELOPMENTAL PERIODS

Objective: Screening for hypertension in childhood and adolescence represents a key strategy for prevention of early vascular aging and consequent target organ damage later in life. Regarding the effect of anthropometric characteristics, emphasis is presently placed on elevated blood pressure (BP) in overweight/obese children. The effect of height on BP is often underestimated, despite its incorporation into normative BP data. The risk of misclassification of hypertensive vs. normotensive individuals seems to be particularly expressed in boys. Therefore, we aimed to study the relationship between height, measures of adiposity, and BP in healthy normal-weight boys in distinct developmental age periods. Design and method: 250 healthy normal-weight boys in age groups of 7–10 (n = 73), 11–14 (n = 85), and 15–19 years (n = 92) were examined under standard conditions. Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured, and two indices of adiposity were calculated: body mass index (BMI; kg.m-2) and body roundness index (BRI; -). Right brachial BP was measured oscillometrically, and mean BP was used for statistical analyses. Results: In multiple linear regression analysis, out of the three anthropometric parameters (height, BMI, and BRI), BP in adolescents aged 15–19 years was best predicted by height (regression coefficient 25.198 mmHg/m, p = 0.013), compared to BMI and BRI (p = 0.102, p = 0.921, respectively). Linear regression analyses showed significant effects of height and BMI, but not BRI, on mean BP in adolescents aged 15–19 years (height: 29.039 mmHg/m, p = 0.004; BMI: 0.847 mmHg/kg.m2, p = 0.014; BRI: p = 0.252). No significant linear relationship between the anthropometric parameters (height, BMI, and BRI) and mean BP was detected in boys aged 7–10 and 11–14 years. Conclusions: The effect of height on BP was most expressed in adolescent boys aged 15–19 years. BP should be evaluated with caution in this paediatric population due to increased risk of misclassification of normotensive individuals as hypertensive. These findings may be related to both physiological adaptation to greater height and a previously described “spurious” peripheral hypertension resulting from specific alteration of peripheral wave reflection in young tall boys with greater elasticity of the arterial wall.

A three-year multifaceted intervention to prevent obesity in children of Mexican-heritage

BackgroundObesity and overweight have increased dramatically in the United States over the last decades. The complexity of interrelated causal factors that result in obesity needs to be addressed within the cultural dynamic of sub-populations. In this study, we sought to estimate the effects of a multifaceted, community-based intervention on body mass index (BMI) among Mexican-heritage children.MethodsNiños Sanos, Familia Sana (Healthy Children, Healthy Family) was a quasi-experimental intervention study designed to reduce the rate of BMI growth among Mexican-heritage children in California’s Central Valley. Two rural communities were matched based on demographic and environmental characteristics and were assigned as the intervention or comparison community. The three-year intervention included parent workshops on nutrition and physical activity; school-based nutrition lessons and enhanced physical education program for children; and a monthly voucher for fruits and vegetables. Eligible children were between 3 and 8 years old at baseline. Intent-to-treat analyses were estimated using linear mixed-effect models with random intercepts. We ran a series of models for each gender where predictors were fixed except interactions between age groups and obesity status at baseline with intervention to determine the magnitude of impact on BMI.ResultsAt baseline, mean (SD) BMI z-score (zBMI) was 0.97 (0.98) in the intervention group (n = 387) and 0.98 (1.02) in the comparison group (n = 313) (NS). The intervention was significantly associated with log-transformed BMI (β = 0.04 (0.02), P = 0.03) and zBMI (β = 0.25 (0.12), P = 0.04) among boys and log-transformed BMI among obese girls (β = − 0.04 (0.02), P = 0.04). The intervention was significantly and inversely associated with BMI in obese boys and girls across all age groups and normal weight boys in the oldest group (over 6 years) relative to their counterparts in the comparison community.ConclusionsA community-based, multifaceted intervention was effective at slowing the rate of BMI growth among Mexican-heritage children. Our findings suggest that practitioners should consider strategies that address gender disparities and work with a variety of stakeholders to target childhood obesity.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01900613. Registered 16th July 2013.

Gender Determines the Pattern of Correlation between Body Mass Index and Major Depressive Disorder among Children and Adolescents: Results from Iranian Children and Adolescents' Psychiatric Disorders Study.

Background: We aimed to determine the correlation of BMI with depression and to determine the role of gender in this association, in a large study sample. Methods: We used the data of participants in the Iranian Children and Adolescents' Psychiatric Disorders (IRCAP) Study, conducted in 2017. This study was a national community-based, cross-sectional study in which the urban and rural areas of all provinces of Iran were covered. Overall 30,532 children and adolescents, ages 6-18, were randomly selected with the stratified cluster sampling method. Results: Of a total of 30,532 participants, 25,321, whose BMI had been measured and who had been interviewed with Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS), entered the study (12,455 boys and 12,866 girls). We categorized the participants according to the national cutoff points for BMI classification. After controlling for age, father's and mother's job and education, and place of residence, the odds ratio (OR) of depression in underweight, healthy weight, and overweight boys compared with obese boys was 2.19 [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.00-4.81], 1.06 (95% CI: 0.73-1.55), and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.49-1.32), respectively. In the girls' subgroup, after controlling for the aforementioned covariates, the OR of depression in healthy weight, overweight, and obese participants compared with underweight subjects was 1.29 (95% CI: 0.52-3.19), 1.54 (95% CI: 0.59-3.98), and 1.79 (95% CI: 0.68-4.69), respectively. Conclusions: Underweight boys were more likely diagnosed with depression than normal weight and overweight boys. While in girls, the probability of depression increased by increased BMI.

Gender-Specific Associations Between Saliva Microbiota and Body Size.

ObjectiveThe human intestinal microbiota likely play an important role in the development of overweight and obesity. However, the associations between saliva microbiota and body mass index (BMI) have been sparsely studied. The aim of this study was to identify the associations between saliva microbiota and body size in Finnish children.MethodsThe saliva microbiota of 900 Finnish children, aged 11–14 years with measured height and weight, was characterized using 16S rRNA (V3–V4) sequencing.ResultsThe core saliva microbiota consisted of 14 genera that were present in more than 95% of the Finnish children. The saliva microbiota profiles were gender-specific with higher alpha-diversity in boys than girls and significant differences between the genders in community composition and abundances. Alpha-diversity differed between normal weight and overweight girls and between normal weight and obese boys. The composition was dissimilar between normal weight and obese girls, but not in boys. The relative abundance profiles differed according to body size. Decrease in commensal saliva bacteria were observed in all the body sizes when compared to normal weight children. Notably, the relative abundance of bacteria related to, Veillonella, Prevotella, Selenomonas, and Streptococcus was reduced in obese children.ConclusionSaliva microbiota diversity and composition were significantly associated with body size and gender in Finnish children. Body size–specific saliva microbiota profiles open new avenues for studying the potential roles of microbiota in weight development and management.

Psychomotor Limitations of Overweight and Obese Five-Year-Old Children: Influence of Body Mass Indices on Motor, Perceptual, and Social-Emotional Skills.

The present research aimed to study the psycho-motor performance of five-year-old children with different body mass indices (BMI). A total of 694 pre-school children in the province of Albacete-Spain participated. Their performance in motor, perceptual, and social-emotional skills was analyzed using a standardized observation sheet (Checklist of Psychomotor Activities—CPA) and then compared according to their BMI using non-parametric statistical methods (Mann-Whitney test). Separate comparisons were made for girls and boys. Results indicated significant differences in performance amongst the groups of girls in all the motor and perceptual activities, and in the social relationships component of the social-emotional factor. These differences seemed to penalize motor activities, perceptual skills, and social relationships in overweight and obese girls compared to normal weight girls. In the case of boys, there were significant differences in laterality and visual-motor coordination (favoring overweight boys). Differences in respiratory control were also found, but in this case, penalizing obese boys compared to normal weight boys. Knowledge of possible psychomotor limitations in obese children could allow psychologists and healthcare professionals to design more focused interventions.

92. Determinant of Thinness In Adolescent: A Case-Control Study

The present study aimed to assess nutritional, socioeconomic, disease-related, psychological (self-esteem and body image) and behavioural (eating attitude) determinants of thinness in adolescents A case control study was done at the Centre for Adolescent Health, Kalawati Saran Children Hospital, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India. Volunteering adolescentsin age group of 13-18years with low BMI (<-2SD) and normal BMI (> -2SD to +1SD) wereincluded in the studyas cases and control respectively. Both groups were compared for socio- demographic aspect and assessed using BSQ-34 Score, RSE Score, ASAQ Score, EAT-26,stunkart figure scale, photo figure scale ,dietary deficit and associated medical conditions. Relationship of these scales to various parameters was assessed and analysis. A total of 160 adolescents were included in controls (80) and cases (80) respectively. In both cases and control, majority of adolescent had no body image concerns. The cases had significantly more disordered eating behaviours and poor self esteem contributing to their thinness. More cases had significant protein deficit (>50%) in diet as compared to controls, however the calorie consumption was similar in both the groups. The mothers of cases were found to have significantly more education in comparison to controls, whereas the education of father in both groups was comparable. More underweight boys (71.4%; and only 30% normal weight boys) desired to gain weight whereas more underweight girls (81.2%; and only 37.8% normal weight girls) were satisfied with their body. Screening and early detection of disordered eating behaviours among adolescents seems to be really essential as such behaviours may be the precursors to eating disorders.

Influence of overweight and obesity on the strength of childhood

Introduction: overweight and obesity reach a high prevalence since childhood in Spain. Objective: to describe the effect of overweight and obesity, in schoolchildren of eleven years of age, in tests that assess the strength of both the lower and upper extremities, as well as speed. Method: four hundred and twenty-three schoolchildren of eleven years of age participated in the study. Basic anthropometric characteristics were obtained and several tests of the EUROFIT battery were developed. Results: normal-weight boys and girls had better scores in physical condition tests in general. Therefore, the vertical and horizontal jumps, bar suspension and abdominals were higher in the participants with normal-weight (p < 0.05). In addition, they performed in less time a speed circuit in both sexes (p < 0.001); however, in relation to the manual isometric strength, in the group of girls those who are overweight or obese have better results (p < 0.01). Conclusions: overweight and obese children of eleven year-olds showed a lower muscular performance, except in the case of manual isometric strength. Several equations haven been also determined for predicting the results of physical tests carried out such as jumps, dynamometry and speed, through sex and body mass index (BMI).

Differences in Physical Behaviour between Obese and Normal Weight Saudi Arabian Boys and Girls: What is Worth Noting?

Objectives: As there still insufficient evidence on the physical behaviours of children who gain weight. Purpose: We aimed to gather data and investigate if any variability in physical behaviours determines whether an urban Saudi school child will be of normal weight or obese. Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional study of 1023 child, aged 9.00 to 11.99 years, who divided into two groups (normal weight and obese, as classified by their BMI), and further stratified by sex. Participants in each group were randomly selected using a multistage stratified cluster-sampling technique. A self-paced questionnaire was used to collect data relating to physical activities (PA) and behaviours. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured, and bioelectrical impedance analysis was assessed in all children. Results: Children being “active” during physical education (PE) significantly differed between groups (p = 0.000), and this difference remained after being stratified by sex (boys, p = 0.000; girls, p = 0.039). Regular child activities frequency/week, i.e. jogging or running (p = 0.020), bicycling (p = 0.000), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (p = 0.021), vigorous physical activity (VPA) (p = 0.000), and household work (p = 0.009), were significantly different between groups, and particularly for the boys. The best places for all children to undertake PA were at home and school. Public parks and schools were highly preferred by normal weight boys and girls, respectively. Normal weight children, especially boys, clearly indicated being very active during most recess breaks; the difference was significant (p = 0.000). Sleeping hours were not significantly different between the normal weight and obese groups, or for both genders. Conclusion: Lower levels of physical activities are common behaviours among obese children, and especially boys. There poses an increased risk of obesity that’s needs to be addressed.

Genetic variation of FTO: rs1421085 T>C, rs8057044 G>A, rs9939609 T>A, and copy number (CNV) in Mexican Mayan school-aged children with obesity/overweight and with normal weight.

Genetic variation of the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) has been identified as a risk factor for obesity and obesity traits. Distribution of FTO single nutleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs1421085T>C, rs9939609T>A, rs8057044G>A and copy number variation (CNV) was evaluated in association with childhood obesity or overweight status in children with Mayan ethnicity. We included 318 school-aged children with obesity or overweight status (body mass index [BMI]: >85th percentile) and 303 children with normal weight (BMI: 15th-85th percentile). Genotyping was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with TaqMan probes. The cross-sectional study was carried out using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for gender. FTO-SNP rs1421085 showed significant differences between children with obesity and children with normal weight for the heterozygous genotype (P = 0.003) and for allele frequencies (P = 0.023). Adjusting by gender, significant differences were found in frequencies of the hetezygous genotype of SNPs rs9939609 (P = 0.023) and rs1421085 (P = 0.003) as well as in allele frequencies (P = 0.042 and P = 0.013, respectively) between girls with obesity and girls without obesity. In contrast, SNP rs8057044 was significantly different only between heterozygous overweight versus normal weight boys (P = 0.035) and for the allele frequency of rs8057044 (P = 0.021). The mean relative CNV was significantly higher in male overweight children than in boys with normal weight (P = 0.000). The FTO SNP rs1421085 is a genetic factor associated with obesity in Mayan school-aged children. FTO SNPs rs1421085 and rs9939609 affect genetic susceptibility for obesity only in girls, whereas, SNP rs8057044 and CNV are associated with overweight status only in boys.

Body image as risk factor for emotional and behavioral problems among Chinese adolescents

BackgroundBeing overweight and obesity during adolescence are worldwide public health problems. This study examined the relationship between actual weight, body image, and emotional and behavioral problems among Chinese adolescents.MethodsA total of 3841 adolescents (age range, 11–16 years) from 5 Chinese cities were included in this cross-sectional study. All of the study participants were asked to complete questionnaires (including demographic features, strengths and difficulties questionnaires, pubertal development scale), and their height and weight were measured at the same time. Body image was measured in two ways: self-perceived weight and body satisfaction. The relationship between weight status and mental health was estimated by multivariate logistic regression for boys and girls.ResultsOur study showed a difference by sex for prevalence of being overweight/obesity and body dissatisfaction among Chinese adolescents. Boys were more likely to be overweight or obese than girls (30.4% vs. 21.5%, p < 0.05), but girls were more likely to be dissatisfied with their bodies than boys (41.2% vs. 27.9%, p < 0.05). In the logistic regression, body image, not actually being overweight, was significantly associated with a higher risk of emotional and behavioral problems. Compared to perceived normal weight boys, boys who perceived themselves as underweight had an increased likelihood of emotional problems (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.73; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.16–2.57), conduct problems (OR = 1.73; 95% CI, 1.20–2.50), and total difficulties (OR = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.09–2.05). Compared to body satisfaction, body dissatisfaction was a risk factor for emotional problems (boys: OR = 2.80; 95% CI, 1.84–4.25; girls: OR = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.42–3.36), conduct problems (boys: OR = 1.87, 95% CI, 1.26–2.76; girls: OR = 2.79; 95% CI, 1.46–5.30), hyperactivity problems (boys: OR = 1.67; 95% CI, 1.09–2.55; girls: OR = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.13–3.69), and total difficulties (boys: OR = 2.03; 95% CI, 1.45–2.84; girls: OR = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.46–3.56).ConclusionsBeing overweight and obese during adolescence are very serious public health problems in China. Body image was a more substantial predictor for adolescent emotional and behavioral problems than actually being overweight/obesity.

Association of Prenatal Urinary Concentrations of Phthalates and Bisphenol A and Pubertal Timing in Boys and Girls.

Background:Animal studies suggest that phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many consumer products, may impact the timing of puberty.Objectives:We aimed to determine the association of prenatal exposure to high-molecular-weight phthalates and BPA with pubertal timing in boys and girls participating in the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas (CHAMACOS) longitudinal cohort study.Methods:We quantified urinary concentrations of eight phthalate metabolites and BPA at two time points during pregnancy among participating mothers () and conducted clinical Tanner staging of puberty on their children every 9 months between 9 and 13 y of age. We conducted accelerated failure time models and examined the role of child overweight/obese status in this association.Results:The sum of urinary metabolites of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate , monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP), and BPA were associated with later onset of at least one of the three outcomes assessed in girls (thelarche, pubarche, or menarche) and with earlier onset of at least one of the two outcomes assessed in boys (gondarche and pubarche). We found that monocarboxynonyl phthalate, monocarboxyoctyl phthalate, mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate, and BPA were associated with later pubarche and menarche mostly among normal-weight girls but not overweight/obese girls. MBzP was associated with later thelarche in all girls, and was associated with later thelarche and menarche in all girls. BPA and all phthalate biomarkers were associated with earlier gonadarche and pubarche in all boys as well as in overweight/obese boys when stratified by weight. Among normal-weight boys, associations with BPA were also inverse, whereas associations with phthalate metabolites were close to the null or positive.Conclusions:Several high-molecular-weight phthalates and BPA were associated with later puberty in girls and earlier puberty in boys included in the CHAMACOS cohort study. Childhood overweight/obesity may modify these associations. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3424

Longitudinal associations of android and gynoid fat mass on cardiovascular disease risk factors in normal weight and overweight boys during puberty.

The aim of this longitudinal study was to assess associations between android and gynoid fat distribution and different cardiovascular disease risk factors in normal weight as well as overweight/obese boys during the pubertal period. In total, 146 boys (baseline age 11.9 ±0.6 years) were recruited for a 2-year longitudinal study. Total body fat percentage and android-gynoid fat distribution were measured using DXA. In addition, waist and hip circumference was measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin and glucose were measured, and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Tanner stage and physical activity were assessed as covariates. Overweight subjects had worse values for most of the measured blood parameters (P <0.05). Higher android, gynoid fat mass (FM), and android/gynoid FM ratio were longitudinally associated with higher insulin and HOMA-IR values in both normal weight and overweight boys (P <0.05). In addition, higher android FM and gynoid FM were associated with worse values in HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in overweight boys (P <0.05). Our results suggest that higher android as well as gynoid fat have a strong impact on cardiovascular disease risk factors in both normal weight and overweight boys during the pubertal period. It can be suggested that measurement of fat distribution as android and gynoid fat is important for the assessment of the development or burden of metabolic diseases in boys with different weight statuses.

Relationship between obesity and health-related quality of life in children aged 7\u20138\xa0years

BackgroundThe dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity in developed and developing countries has become a major health care concern. Accordingly, there is growing recognition of the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and obesity in the pediatric population. This study aimed to explore the relationship between HRQOL and different indicators of obesity in children aged 7–8 years.MethodIn total, 182 children participated in this study (mean age 7.71 (0.29) years, 48.91% girls). To assess obesity, an InBody 230 analyzer was used to calculate body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BFP). The proxy version of the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire was used to assess HRQOL.ResultsAmong boys, 17.2% were overweight and 4.3% were obese according to BMI, while in terms of body fat percentage (BFP), the corresponding percentages were 12.9 and 9.7%, respectively. Among girls, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 11.2 and 9.0% by BMI and 10.1 and 7.9% in terms of BFP, respectively. The analysis of BFP showed a significantly higher score in normal weight boys than in obese boys in the Social Support & Peers domains (KW H-test = 10.472, p = 0.03), while in girls, there were no significant differences between weight categories and any HRQOL dimensions.ConclusionObesity at 7–8 years of age could negatively affect some HRQOL domains; in particular, obese boys may have low social support and peer functioning.

Non-linear relationships between the BMI and physical fitness in Polish adolescents

Background: Comparisons of physical fitness in normal weight and overweight/obese youth generally highlight the negative consequences of an elevated BMI. In contrast, several studies of children and adolescents highlight the importance of variation in indicators of physical fitness across the full spectrum of BMIs from low through high.Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate relationships between specific physical fitness items and the BMI among youth.Subjects and methods: Height, weight and six physical fitness tests were measured in 1239 males and 903 females, aged 13–16 years; BMI (kg/m2) was calculated. Fitness tests were compared by weight status using sex-specific MANCOVAs, controlling for age. Sex-specific quadratic regressions of each fitness item on the BMI were also calculated.Results: The sprint, standing long jump and shuttle run indicated better performances in normal than in thin and overweight/obese boys; the latter groups did not differ. Thin and normal weight boys performed better than overweight/obese boys in sit-ups and distance run. Among girls, sit-ups differed as follows: normal > thin > overweight/obese. Thin and normal weight girls performed better than overweight/obese girls in the jump, distance run and shuttle run. Normal weight girls were faster in the sprint than the overweight/obese. The quadratic regressions indicated significant non-linear relationships between the BMI and all fitness items among boys and in four items among girls.Conclusion: Performances on fitness tests varied with weight status. Relationships between performances and the BMI were curvilinear except for the distance run and flexibility in girls.

The associations between the changes in serum inflammatory markers and bone mineral accrual in boys with overweight and obesity during pubertal maturation: a 3-year longitudinal study in Estonian boys.

This longitudinal study aims to identify the inflammatory markers that most strongly associate with pubertal bone mineral density (BMD) increment in boys with overweight and obesity (OWB). Twenty-six OWB and 29 normal-weight boys were followed yearly for 3years to measure changes in 12 serum inflammatory markers, BMD (by DXA), and apparent volumetric BMD. The OWB group was further divided into two subgroups according to their BMI gain during the 3-year period. Data through time points presented as slopes were used to calculate correlation coefficients to explore the possible relationships between variables of interest. In the whole study group, linear mixed effects (LME) models were also used. Increment in serum VEGF concentration was inversely associated with an increase in total body (TB) BMD (r = - 0.82, P = 0.02) and TB bone mineral content (BMC)/height (r = - 0.82, P = 0.02) in those OWB whose BMI gain was higher during pubertal years. In the whole study group, the LME model confirmed the inverse association between VEGF and TB BMC/height (P < 0.05). EGF was inversely associated with LS BMD and LS BMAD (P < 0.05), whereas there was a positive association between IL-8 and TB BMAD and between IFN-γ and LS BMD (P < 0.05). Lower increment in BMD in OWB with higher BMI gain is associated with increasing serum VEGF concentration during pubertal maturation. VEGF, EGF, IL-8, and IFN-γ are significantly associated with BMD during pubertal maturation in boys with different BMI values.

The role of IL-6 in exercise-induced anorexia in normal-weight boys.

Our previous study showed that interleukin-6 (IL-6) is associated with suppression of appetite after high-intensity exercise (HIEX), but an independent role in food intake (FI) was not defined. We hypothesized that IL-6 suppresses appetite and FI, independently of appetite hormones, after HIEX in normal-weight (NW) boys. We investigated the effect of HIEX, with and without the inflammation inhibitor ibuprofen (IBU), on IL-6, other biomarkers of inflammation and appetite, FI, and ratings of appetite in NW boys. Fifteen NW boys (aged 13-18 years) were randomly assigned in a crossover design to 4 sessions: (i) water and rest, (ii) IBU and rest, (iii) water and HIEX, and (iv) IBU and HIEX. HIEX consisted of three 10-min bouts of exercise at 75% of maximal oxygen uptake with 90 s of active rest between bouts. IBU (300 mg) was given as a liquid suspension. FI, ratings of appetite, and plasma biomarkers of appetite, inflammation, stress, and glucose control were measured. FI was not affected by HIEX or IBU. Appetite increased over time (p = 0.002) but was lower after HIEX (p < 0.001) and not affected by IBU. HIEX, but not IBU, resulted in higher levels of IL-6 (p < 0.001) and cortisol (p < 0.001) and lower active ghrelin (p < 0.001). IL-6 correlated with active ghrelin (r = 0.37; p = 0.036) and cortisol (r = 0.26; p = 0.049). An independent role for IL-6 in appetite suppression was not supported. However, IL-6 was correlated with active ghrelin and cortisol, thus potentially mediating appetite via these interactions.

Longitudinal changes in bone-testis axis and their associations with insulin resistance in 11- to 12-year-old boys.

Associations between osteocalcin (OCN), an osteoblast-specific hormone, and different markers of energy metabolism and insulin resistance have been reported in adults, but few studies have investigated this in children. The aim of the current study was to investigate serum OCN levels during pubertal development in normal weight (NW) and overweight (OW) boys, and to evaluate possible associations of OCN with body composition, testosterone, insulin resistance and adipocytokine values during puberty. Ninety 11- to 12-year-old boys were investigated at 12-month intervals over the next 2years. Boys were divided by their BMI into NW (n=60) and OW (n=30) groups. Serum OCN, testosterone, leptin, adiponectin, insulin, HOMA-IR score, and body composition were measured. Pubertal development over the 2-year period was similar in both groups. Serum OCN was not different at the beginning of the study and increased similarly in both groups. However, at the end of the study, NW had higher OCN than OW (142.9±5.2 vs. 124.0±7.4ng/ml; p<0.05). OW had higher leptin, insulin and HOMA-IR compared to NW, and these differences remained significant through the 2-year period. Testosterone, insulin and HOMA-IR increased through the study period in both groups. In multiple regression analyses increment in OCN was associated with the increase in testosterone in NW (p<0.001) and OW (p=0.049) boys. Increment in OCN was also associated with the increase in insulin (p=0.019) and HOMA-IR (p=0.012) over the 2-year period in NW boys. Serum OCN concentration increases in puberty and the increment is positively associated with the rise in testosterone level in both NW and OW boys. The positive association between the rise in OCN and insulin in NW boys would suggest that OCN may have a role in the development of insulin resistance.

Autoinforme de peso e insatisfacción con el peso corporal

El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la influencia común del índice de masa corporal (IMC) e insatisfacción con el peso corporal en las estrategias del control de peso y quejas físicas y psicológicas. Un total de 5404 adolescentes rumanos a la edad de entre 13 y 15 años (50.6% chicas) participaron en un estudio más grande que examinaba las conductas y actitudes de riesgo de salud en los jóvenes. Los participantes tenían que dar su peso y altura (para calcular el IMC). También respondieron a las preguntas sobre su insatisfacción con el peso corporal, control de peso insalubre y quejas sobre molestias de salud física y psicológica. Hemos usado la regresión logística para examinar la relación entre el IMC, la insatisfacción con el peso corporal, el control de peso insalubre y las molestias de salud. 21% de adolescentes autoevaluaron que padecen sobrepeso, con 10% de adolescentes de peso normal insatisfechos con su peso corporal. Las molestias de salud más frecuentes reportadas por los adolescentes fueron dolor de cabeza (23.3%), problemas con el sueño (16.7%) y mal humor (32%). Hubo una interacción significativa entre el IMC y la insatisfacción con el tamaño corporal para predecir el control de peso insalubre y síntomas físicos y psicológicos. Los adolescentes sin sobrepeso pero insatisfechos con su cuerpo mostraban más tendencias a las conductas de control de peso insalubre y reportaban tanto síntomas físicos como psicológicos en comparación con sus compañeros con el sobrepeso o aquellos más satisfechos con su cuerpo. El presente estudio sugiere que el uso de métodos del control de peso insalubre no es poco común entre los adolescentes con niveles altos de insatisfacción, y que tienen el IMC dentro de lo normal. Las intervenciones deberían tratar de abordar las preocupaciones sobre el peso corporal y proporcionar a los adolescentes habilidades para valorar críticamente ideales de peso corporal.