Adiposity in preadolescent children: Associations with cardiorespiratory fitness

PLoS One. 2022 Oct 26;17(10):e0275982. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275982. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Lifestyle factors contribute to childhood obesity risk, however it is unclear which lifestyle factors are most strongly associated with childhood obesity. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to simultaneously investigate the associations among dietary patterns, activity behaviors, and physical fitness with adiposity (body fat %, fat mass, body mass index [BMI], and waist to hip ratio) in preadolescent children. Preadolescent children (N = 392, 50% female, age: 9.5 ± 1.1year, BMI: 17.9 ± 3.3 kg/m2) were recruited. Body fat (%) and fat mass (kg) were measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2 max), muscular strength (hand-grip strength), activity, sleep, and dietary pattern was assessed. Multivariable analysis revealed that cardiorespiratory fitness associated most strongly with all four indicators of adiposity (body fat (%) (β = -0.2; p < .001), fat mass (β = -0.2; p < .001), BMI (β = -0.1; p < .001) and waist to hip ratio (β = -0.2; p < .001). Additionally, fruit and vegetable consumption patterns were associated with body fat percentage, but the association was negligible (β = 0.1; p = 0.015). Therefore, future interventions should aim to promote the use of cardiorespiratory fitness as a means of reducing the obesity epidemic in children.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adiposity
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cardiorespiratory Fitness*
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pediatric Obesity* / epidemiology
  • Physical Fitness

Grants and funding

This study was supported by Massey University Research Fund, New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarship Recipient, and Massey University Doctoral Research Scholarship Recipient. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.