Association between cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic risk factors in Brazilian children and adolescents: the mediating role of obesity parameters

ABSTRACT

Background

There is a lack of clarity as to which obesity parameters may be more important in the association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF).

Aim

To verify the mediating role of different obesity parameters on the association between CRF and CMRF in normal weight and overweight/obese children and adolescents.

Methods

This cross-sectional study comprised 999 children and adolescents (534 boys) aged 7–14 years from the south of Brazil. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and percentage of body fat were assessed. Participants were classified as normal weight, overweight and obese according to BMI. CRF was evaluated by the 6-minute run/walk test. . A continuous CMRF score was calculated by summing the Z-scores of the following variables: systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides. Data analysis was performed using partial correlation and linear regression models.

Results

BMI, WC, WHtR and percentage of body fat mediated the relationship between CRF and CMRF in overweight/obese boys and girls but not those of normal weight. Additionally, the percentage of the influence of each obesity parameter was 20% for BMI and WC, 16% for percentage of body fat and 18% for WHtR in girls. For boys, the mediation effect was 25% for BMI, 26% for WC, 28% for percentage of body fat and 25% for WHtR.

Conclusion

Adiposity plays a central role in CMRF; therefore, maintaining an adequate weight status should be an important objective of health-promoting programmes in early age.

Abbreviations: CMRF, cardiometabolic risk factors; CRF, cardiorespiratory fitness; BMI. body mass index; HDL-c, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, PROCESS PROESP-Br, Projeto Esporte Brasil; SPSS, Package for Social Sciences; TC, total cholesterol; TG, triglycerides; WC, waist circumference; WHtR, waist-to-height ratio; %BF, percentage of body fat.

KEYWORDS:

• Metabolic health
• body mass index
• waist circumference
• waist-to-height ratio
• percentage of body fat

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Coordination of Superior Level Staff Improvement.

Notes on contributors

Caroline Brand

Caroline Brand, Ph.D in Movement Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Postdoctoral student at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul.

Cézane Priscila Reuter

Cézane Priscila Reuter, Ph.D in Children and Adolescent Health, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Professor at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul.

Anelise Reis Gaya

Anelise Reis Gaya, Ph.D in Physical Activity and Health, University of Porto. Professor at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.

Jorge Mota

Jorge Mota, Professor at University of Porto.

Michael Duncan

Michael Duncan, Professor at Faculty Research Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Coventry University.

Leticia Borfe

Letícia Borfe, Master in Health Promotion, University of Santa Cruz do Sul. Ph.D Student at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.

Jane Dagmar Pollo Renner

Jane Dagmar Pollo Renner, Ph.D in Celular and Molecular Biology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. Professor at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul.