Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and metabolic syndrome in adolescents: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundIn adults, there is a substantial body of evidence that physical inactivity or low cardiorespiratory fitness levels are strongly associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. Although this association has been studied extensively in adults, little is known regarding this association in adolescents. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness levels with metabolic syndrome in Brazilian adolescents.MethodsA random sample of 223 girls (mean age, 14.4 ± 1.6 years) and 233 boys (mean age, 14.6 ± 1.6 years) was selected for the study. The level of physical activity was determined by the Bouchard three-day physical activity record. Cardiorespiratory fitness was estimated by the Leger 20-meter shuttle run test. The metabolic syndrome components assessed included waist circumference, blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting plasma glucose levels. Independent Student t-tests were used to assess gender differences. The associations between physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness with the presence of metabolic syndrome were calculated using logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender.ResultsA high prevalence of metabolic syndrome was observed in inactive adolescents (males, 11.4%; females, 7.2%) and adolescents with low cardiorespiratory fitness levels (males, 13.9%; females, 8.6%). A significant relationship existed between metabolic syndrome and low cardiorespiratory fitness (OR, 3.0 [1.13-7.94]).ConclusionThe prevalence of metabolic syndrome is high among adolescents who are inactive and those with low cardiorespiratory fitness. Prevention strategies for metabolic syndrome should concentrate on enhancing fitness levels early in life.

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Evidence

“…Specifically in adolescents, some studies have found an inverse association between low levels of physical activity and higher risk of developing MetS [18,19,23,24], however, other studies have not identified any association [11,12,14,16,20,25]. Similarly, sedentary behavior over a long period has been mentioned in some studies as associated with higher chances of developing MetS [14,21,25], while other studies found no association [10,12].…”

Frequência de síndrome metabólica em crianças e adolescentes de escolas públicas de Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brasil, conforme três critérios diagnósticos internacionais

“…In the last decades, the prevalence of MetS in adult populations in developed countries has been around 20-25% [20]; this has been exceeded by the prevalence of MetS in developing countries, which varies between 25 and 45% [25]. These changes were expected to be found in the younger population, in which there is a low prevalence of MetS in normal-weight children and adolescents compared with obese ones [8].…”

“…In 2011, the base year for the calculation of the sample, 5,036 students were enrolled in the fifth and ninth years of elementary school and in the third year of high school. The sample calculation was based on the prevalence of MetS, estimated at 7.7% [20], using a 95% confidence interval, absolute precision of 5%, and clustering as sampling method (draw of classes) for a total of 107 students [21]. Predicted loss was 30% and the sample size was estimated to be 69 children and adolescents.…”

Psychosocial Mediators of the Fitness–Depression Relationship Within Adolescents

“…Similarly, among male and female adolescents (Mage = 12.8 years), higher levels of physical activity were associated with more general self-efficacy (Rutkowski & Connelly, 2012). Given the strong connection between physical activity levels and being aerobically fit (Aires et al, 2011;Martín-Matillas et al, 2012;Silva et al, 2013;Stabelini et al, 2011), it makes sense that both would be related to increased confidence in the ability to be physically active when desired, though this relation appears stronger for boys than girls. Adolescent boys are encouraged to participate in sports and receive positive messages from peers for being physically active; girls' participation, however, generally is less supported by peers and they perceive more barriers to being active than do boys (Wu, Pender, & Noureddine, 2003).…”

“…Although physical activity and CRF are associated positively (Aires et al, 2011;Martín-Matillas et al, 2012;Silva et al, 2013;Stabelini et al, 2011), they actually are different in that physical activity is a behavior whereas CRF is considered to be a physical/physiological outcome achieved through physical activity (Meredith & Welk, 2010). For instance, in a sample of boys and girls (ages 11-19 years), Aires et al, (2011) found a significant positive association between CRF, evaluated using the 20-meter shuttle run test, and a physical activity questionnaire.…”