Association between nutritional status, physical fitness and executive functions in preadolescents: A person-centered approach

Yuxin Zhu; Fenghua Sun; Sisi Tao; Simon B Cooper; Tian-Yu Gao

doi:10.3389/fped.2022.966510

Association between nutritional status, physical fitness and executive functions in preadolescents: A person-centered approach

Front Pediatr. 2022 Oct 17:10:966510. doi: 10.3389/fped.2022.966510. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Yuxin Zhu¹, Fenghua Sun², Sisi Tao³, Simon B Cooper⁴, Tian-Yu Gao⁵

Affiliations

¹ Syns Institute of Educational Research, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
² Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
³ Centre for Information Technology in Education, Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
⁴ Exercise/Health Research Group, Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre, Department of Sport Science, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom.
⁵ School of Physical Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.

Abstract

Objective: In the current study, a person-centered approach was adopted to investigate the relationship between nutritional status and physical fitness profiles and executive functions (EF) in preadolescents.

Methods: Participants (M _age= 10.8 years; Male = 50.8%) were recruited from two primary schools in Hong Kong. Nutritional status [body mass index (BMI)], physical fitness including cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF, predicted VO_2max, multi-stage fitness test) and speed-agility (20-m sprint) were measured on school days. EF performance was measured using the Flanker task (inhibition) and the Sternberg task (working memory).

Results: Data from 120 preadolescents were considered valid. Three distinct profiles were identified by a person-centered approach. Profile 1 was featured by high BMI (21.61 ± 3.38 kg/m²), poor VO_2max (33.29 ± 23.96 ml/kg/min), and slow 20-m sprint (4.51 ± 0.13 s). Profile 2 was featured by low BMI (15.99 ± 3.38), fair VO_2max (44.98 ± 23.96) and fast 20-m sprint (3.97 ± 0.13). Profile 3 was featured by low BMI (15.63 ± 3.38), poor VO_2max (32.37 ± 23.96), and slow 20-m sprint (4.48 ± 0.13). Wald chi-square test revealed preadolescents in profile 1 and profile 2 performed better than profile 3 in accuracy of Flanker task (1 vs. 3: χ ² = 12.23, P < 0.001; 2 vs. 3: χ ² = 10.86, P = 0.001). That is, for normal weight preadolescents with poor CRF and speed-agility, those with superior nutritional status performed better in inhibition. For normal weight preadolescents with poor nutritional status, those with superior CRF and speed-agility had better inhibitory capacity.

Conclusion: Compared to the commonly used variable-centered approach, this person-centered approach is a valuable addition that expands the understanding of the association between nutritional status, physical fitness and EF in preadolescents. Results are discussed with regards to maximizing health behaviors and implications for educational policy.

Keywords: attention; body mass index; cognition; exericse; inhibition; latent profile analysis; working memory.

Grants and funding

This research was partially funded by Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong [grant numbers 04341]. The APC fee was funded by the School of Physical Education, Jinan University.