Body fat, abdominal fat and body fat distribution related to VO_2PEAK in young children

Abstract

Objective. Aerobic fitness, defined as maximum oxygen uptake (VO_2PEAK), and body fat measurements represent two known risk factors for disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between VO_2PEAK and body fat measurements in young children at a population-based level. Methods. Cross-sectional study of 225 children (128 boys and 97 girls) aged 8–11 years, recruited from a population-based cohort. Total lean body mass (LBM), total fat mass (TBF), and abdominal fat mass (AFM) were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Body fat was also calculated as a percentage of body mass (BF%) and body fat distribution as AFM/TBF. VO_2PEAK was assessed by indirect calorimetry during maximal exercise test. Results. Significant relationships existed between body fat measurements and VO_2PEAK in both boys and girls, with Pearson correlation coefficients for absolute values of VO_2PEAK (0.22–0.36, P< 0.05), and for VO_2PEAK scaled by body mass (−0.38 – −0.70, P<0.05). No relationships were detected for VO_2PEAK scaled to LBM (−0.17–0.04, all not significant). Boys and girls in the lowest quartile according to body fat measurements had higher absolute values of VO_2PEAK and lower values of VO_2PEAK scaled by body mass, compared with those in the highest quartile. No differences were found for VO_2PEAK scaled to LBM. Conclusions. Our findings document the coexistence of two known risk factors for disease at a young age and confirms that VO_2PEAK was scaled to LBM may be a better, body fat independent way of expressing fitness.

Key words::

• Aerobic fitness
• VO_2PEAK
• body fat
• DXA

Acknowledgements

Financial support for this study was received from the Swedish Heart and Lung Association and Lund University Grants.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.