Association of physical activity and sitting with metabolic syndrome and hyperglycemic clamp parameters in adolescents – BRAMS pediatric study

Abstract

IntroductionObesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have immediate and long-term consequences on adolescent health and well-being. Among the available treatments for MetS in adolescents, behavioral interventions such as increasing physical activity (PA) are preferred. This study aimed to investigate the association of PA and sitting time with MetS and a complete set of metabolic health parameters.MethodsData from the Pediatric Brazilian Metabolic Syndrome Study (BRAMS-P), a cross-sectional multicenter study conducted using a convenience sample of 448 Brazilian adolescents (10y–19y), were used. Sociodemographic and lifestyle information were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Daily PA and sitting time were estimated from the International PA Questionnaire. Anthropometric parameters, body composition, and blood pressure were measured by trained researchers. Blood lipids, uric acid, hepatic enzymes, creatinine, glycated hemoglobin, glucose, and insulin were measured in fasting blood samples, and the Homeostasis Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance was calculated. A subsample of 57 adolescents underwent the hyperglycemic clamp protocol.ResultsThe odds for metabolic syndrome were higher among adolescents who spent >8h sitting (OR (95%CI)=2.11 (1.02 – 4.38)), but not in those classified as active (OR (95%CI)=0.98 (0.42 – 2.26)). Adolescents who spent more time sitting had higher BMI, waist circumference, sagittal abdominal diameter, neck circumference, percentage of body fat, and worse blood lipid profile. The insulin sensitivity index was moderately and positively correlated with moderate-to-high PA in minutes per day (rho=0.29; p=0.047).ConclusionTime spent sitting was associated with worse metabolic parameters and must be restricted in favor of adolescent health. Regular PA is associated with improved insulin sensitivity and may be encouraged not only in adolescents with obesity or metabolic disorders but also to prevent adverse metabolic outcomes in normal-weight adolescents.

The association between device-measured sitting time and cardiometabolic health risk factors in children

“…Longer-term BP monitoring and experimental research are needed to explore the association between sitting time and BP. A weak unfavourable association between sitting time and insulin have been found in this study and similar to the finding among adults [47], however this association has not been found among adolescents [48]. The unexpected association with LDL observed in our study warrants careful consideration.…”

The Impact of Regular Physical Activity on Lipid Profile and Cardiovaskular Health in Adolescents : A Literature Review

“…From ten journal articles analyzed, important findings were revealed regarding the relationship between physical activity, metabolic parameters, and cardiovascular risk factors. One of the main findings is from Silva et al (2023), who found that adolescents with more than 8 hours of sitting time have a higher chance of MetS, while those who engage in moderate-high physical activity show improved insulin sensitivity. This highlights the importance of physical activity in reducing metabolic health risks in adolescents.…”