Physical fitness components in relation to attention capacity in Latin American youth with overweight and obesity

Abstract

The aim of the study was twofold: (a) to examine the association between health‐related physical fitness and attention capacity in Latin American children and adolescents with overweight and obesity and (b) to test whether body composition outcomes are moderators of this association. A cross‐sectional design was used to study 201 overweight/obese participants (12.1 ± 2.1 years of age; 34.3% girls) from Chile (Active‐Start study) and Colombia (HEPAFIT study). Body composition, muscular fitness, speed‐agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness were evaluated using two similar test batteries (ALPHA and FUPRECOL). Attention capacity was measured by the d2 Test. Linear regression and moderation analyses were conducted. Linear regression analysis revealed an association between muscular fitness (β = 0.245, P = .015), speed‐agility (β = −0.16, P = .027), cardiorespiratory fitness (β = 0.331, P < .001) and overall fitness score (β = 0.210; P = .004) and attention capacity (all analyses were controlled for age, sex, peak height velocity, maternal education, and study setting). Moderation analysis using the Johnson‐Neyman technique revealed that the effect of the relationship between muscular fitness score and speed‐agility and attention capacity was stronger as fat mass and fat mass index increased. In conclusion, physical fitness components are associated with higher attention capacity in youth with overweight/obesity, but body composition seems to moderate these relationships. Randomized controlled trials in this population would help to better understand whether improvements in different components of physical fitness lead to better attention capacity, especially in youth with excess adiposity.

Physical fitness and its association with cognitive performance in Chilean schoolchildren: The Cogni‐Action Project

“…32 In the case of Latin-American children, the MF was favorably associated with attention capacity, but this result was moderate by their fatness level. 34 Contrary, MF was not associated with attention capacity or cognitive control in European 7 and Australian 8 adolescents, respectively. The last mentioned also supports one of the gaps in this research scenario regarding the apparent differences among countries and ethnicities due to their social and economic disparities.…”

“…In children with overweight or obesity, the association of MF with the cognitive flexibility and planning ability shows a borderline association, while no association was observed with inhibitory control 32 . In the case of Latin‐American children, the MF was favorably associated with attention capacity, but this result was moderate by their fatness level 34 . Contrary, MF was not associated with attention capacity or cognitive control in European 7 and Australian 8 adolescents, respectively.…”

“…35 In Latin-American children, all fitness components were associated with children's attention capacity. 34 In general, although the evidence that addresses MF and S-AF is more limited and inconsistent than CRF, some studies show a positive association between S-AF and MF with higher gray matter volumes in diverse brain regions. 6 As occur with CRF, these findings between S-AF and MF with brain matter volumes might support a better cognitive profile in children and adolescents.…”

“…13 Besides, we observe a small ES in most of the significant association between fitness components and cognition tests; however, at a public health and educational context, even a small effect is meaningful when considering that each cognitive capacity could be affected (positively and negatively) by a vast multitude of internal and external factors (eg, sleep quality, fatness, social vulnerability, and others). 1,16,34 Finally, it is essential to highlight that the degree of association between a specific cognitive domain would depend on the brain relationship with each fitness component. Thereby, we could speculate based on the scientific literature that the CRF influence on the brain would be linked to the increased physiological response to cover the oxygen and energy exercise demand.…”

When Pandemics Collide: The Impact of COVID-19 on Childhood Obesity

“…Physical fitness is related to attention capacity in youth with obesity (García-Hermoso et al, 2020). Thus, sustaining safe opportunities for activity during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential.…”