Aerobic fitness and physical activity are inversely associated with body fat, dyslipidemia and inflammatory mediators in children and adolescents living with HIV

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate if moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and aerobic fitness are associated with cardiovascular risk factors in HIV+ children and adolescents. Sixty-five children and adolescents (8 to 15 years) provided minutes of MVPA measured by accelerometers and peak oxygen uptake (peak VO) by breath-by-breath respiratory exchange. Cardiovascular risk factors were characterized by body fat, blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and carotid intima-media thickness. Results indicated that higher MVPA was associated with lower values of total (β = -3.566) and trunk body fat (β = -3.495), total cholesterol (β = -0.112) and LDL-c (β = -0.830). Likewise, higher peak VO was associated with lower total (β = -0.629) and trunk body fat values (β = -0.592) and levels of CRP (β = -0.059). The physically active participants had lower total cholesterol (-24.4 mg.dL) and LDL-c (-20.1 mg.dL) compared to participants judged to be insufficiently active. Moreover, participants with satisfactory peak VO₂ showed lower total (-4.1%) and trunk (-4.3%) body fat, CRP (-2.3 mg.L), IL-6 (-2.4 pg.mL) and TNF-α (-1.0 pg.mL) compared to low peak VO peers. High levels of MVPA and aerobic fitness may prevent developing of cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents HIV+.

Evaluation of submaximal endurance in young children living with HIV

“…It is therefore important to continue to monitor the growth and endurance levels of all children as they go through adolescence as the impairments experienced by children may change. High levels of MVPA and aerobic fitness may also have additional benefits in CLHIV, such as the prevention of cardiovascular risk factors commonly experienced (De Lima et al 2019 ) or improving inflammatory profiles (Gopalan et al 2020 ).…”

“…Cardiopulmonary impairments, along with potential renal dysfunction and decreased bone mineral density (Shiau et al 2020 ), could impact negatively on participation in physical activity. Levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) have been noted to be decreased in CLHIV (De Lima et al 2017 , 2019 ; Wong et al 2016 ), with the activity levels of girls being a particular concern (Wong et al 2016 ). Poor endurance levels may be a factor contributing to this decrease in MVPA, but this relationship needs to be investigated further.…”

Brief Report: Youth Living With Perinatally Acquired HIV Have Lower Physical Activity Levels as They Age Compared With HIV-Exposed Uninfected Youth

“…Physical Activity attributes were collected using the Block PAQ, 11 relying on self-report or caregiver report. PAQ is designed for school-age children (ages [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. This questionnaire asks information over the past 7 days on frequency (times/week) and duration (minutes or h/d) of 9 activities ranging from vigorous physical activity to more sedentary activities, such as watching television and playing video games.…”

VIH, dislipidemias y perspectivas de su evolución

“…Se puede recomendar la práctica de actividad física constante ya que los altos niveles de actividad física moderada a vigorosa y aeróbica pueden prevenir el desarrollo de factores de riesgo cardiovascular en niños y adolescentes VIH+ (39)(40).…”