The Exercise, Arterial Modulation and Nutrition in Youth South Africa Study (ExAMIN Youth SA)

Ruan Kruger; Makama Andries Monyeki; Aletta Elisabeth Schutte; Wayne Smith; Catharina Martha Cornelia Mels; Herculina Salomé Kruger; Anita Elizabeth Pienaar; Lebo Francina Gafane-Matemane; Yolandi Breet; Leandi Lammertyn; Gontse Gratitude Mokwatsi; Ankebé Kruger; Elmari Deacon; Henner Hanssen

doi:10.3389/fped.2020.00212

The Exercise, Arterial Modulation and Nutrition in Youth South Africa Study (ExAMIN Youth SA)

Front Pediatr. 2020 Apr 29:8:212. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.00212. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Ruan Kruger^{1

2}, Makama Andries Monyeki³, Aletta Elisabeth Schutte^{1

2

4}, Wayne Smith^{1

2}, Catharina Martha Cornelia Mels^{1

2}, Herculina Salomé Kruger^{2

5}, Anita Elizabeth Pienaar³, Lebo Francina Gafane-Matemane^{1

2}, Yolandi Breet^{1

2}, Leandi Lammertyn^{1

2}, Gontse Gratitude Mokwatsi^{1

2}, Ankebé Kruger³, Elmari Deacon⁶, Henner Hanssen⁷

Affiliations

¹ Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART); North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
² MRC Research Unit for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
³ Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Research Focus Area; North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
⁴ School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales and The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁵ Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
⁶ Optentia Research Focus Area, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
⁷ Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Abstract

Background: The impact of a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle on cardiovascular health is well-documented, however the current obesity and hypertension trends among children is concerning. The ExAMIN Youth SA study aims to investigate the impact of lifestyle behaviors (physical fitness/activity, dietary intake and psychosocial factors) involved in early vascular aging among South African children. Methods: This study is an analytical, multidisciplinary, observational cohort study in a school-based setting. We aim to phenotype a cohort of ~1,000 primary school children (black and white boys and girls between ages 5-9 years) based on current clinical childhood conditions including hypertension and obesity. The primary phenotype is large artery stiffness and retinal microvascular diameters, both biomarkers of early vascular aging. The risk factors and mediators of early vascular aging and also responsible for the clinical conditions include physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and life stress. Additionally, urinalysis and salivary analyses will be performed to identify biomarkers related to the pathophysiology of early vascular aging. Discussion: In line with the growing prevalence of obesity and hypertension responsible for the development of early vascular aging from childhood to adulthood, this study will address the critical areas in which we observe unfavorable arterial modulation related to dietary behaviors, physical inactivity, and early life stress. Implementation of novel biological markers may further contribute to our understanding of early cardiovascular adaptations in childhood, and aid in the development of primary prevention programs. Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on 15 August 2019 (NCT04056377).

Keywords: arterial stiffness; blood pressure; child health; nutrition; obesity; physical activity; psychosocial behavior; retinal vessel diameters.

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04056377