Association between physical activity, cardiometabolic risk factors and vitamin D in children and adolescents: a systematic review

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence of cross-sectional studies on the associations between physical activity, cardiometabolic risk factors and vitamin D concentrations in children and adolescents. The search was performed in PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, Scopus, MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus. Cardiometabolic risk factors included obesity, insulin resistance, systemic arterial hypertension and unfavorable changes in the lipid profile (low levels of high-density lipoprotein, elevated low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides). Cross-sectional design studies published between 2007 and 2019 were included whether they evaluated the relationship between vitamin D and physical activity and/or vitamin D and cardiometabolic risk factors. Fourteen studies were selected, involving 8340 children and adolescents. The main results found were a significant inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and cardiometabolic risk factors. All studies (n = 8) that tested association between physical activity and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D) concentrations showed a significant and direct relationship between them. In addition, nine out of eleven studies that tested the association between 25 (OH) D and body mass index reported an inverse and significant relationship between 25 (OH) D and obesity. In conclusion, sufficient concentrations of vitamin D are related to a more favorable cardiometabolic profile, and children and adolescents who are obese or insufficiently active have a higher risk of present hypovitaminosis D.

Comparison between girls and boys lifestyle profile and physical activity

“…In agreement with what was found in this investigation, youth health can be affected by habitual behaviors since the unfavorable lifestyle reflects negatively on health, increasing the chances of problems and the presence of comorbidities related to sedentary behavior and overweight 5,10 . The life habits for children and youth are directly related to family and social behavior with the tendency of global increase in sedentary recreation activities 28 and factors such as lack of Vitamin D which are related to poor nutrition, low solar exposure, and decrease in physical activity engagement 3 . These social changes lead to adaptive physiological responses to day-to-day behavior, which are not always favorable to health, especially in individuals who may have a genetic predisposition 6 .…”

“…Childhood and adolescence can be considered critical stages for health since there is evidence that habits acquired in this period may extend through adulthood 1 . More than change in nutritional behavior, the decline in physical activities and increase in sedentary time are the main factors adjacent to childhood obesity 2,3 . These habits reveal the tight relationship between lifestyle and the development of health issues since they represent risk behaviors and impact negatively the health of young populations 4 .…”

“…The lifestyle includes several components of human behavior, representing situations that can be healthy or not, revealing many aspects of the day-to-day to be considered in terms of risk behaviors and impacts on population health. Therefore, the unfavorable lifestyle, which includes low levels of physical activity, inadequate eating habits and risk behaviors, is associated to cardiometabolic changes 5 as well as low cardiorespiratory fitness 8 , muscle strength 9 , and Vitamin D concentrations 3 . The unfavorable lifestyle profile in children and youth favors excessive weight and other associated diseases.…”

Fatores associados à alteração de concentrações de vitamina D em residentes quilombolas

“…A deficiência nas concentrações de vitamina D foi reconhecida como um problema de saúde pública e sua principal causa tem sido atribuída à falta de exposição ao sol, com moderação, que é a principal fonte dessa vitamina para os seres humanos 1,2,3 .…”

“…Tal situação tem causado preocupação em diferentes países e entre diferentes faixas etárias, principalmente devido a mudanças no estilo de vida com aumento de atividades sedentárias, em ambientes fechados, levando a uma menor exposição ao sol 2,4,5,6 .…”