Fitness level and body composition are associated with inflammation in non-obese children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Cardiovascular Health
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Childhood obesity and poor physical fitness are linked to insulin resistance (IR), coronary heart disease (CHD), and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Elevated inflammation markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), are independent predictors of CHD.
• The association between body fat, fitness, and inflammation in non-obese children remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and inflammation in non-obese children.
• To determine if higher body fat and lower fitness in non-obese youth are associated with elevated CRP levels.
• To assess the correlation between inflammation and insulin resistance (IR) in this population.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated 75 non-obese children (ages 11-14) with BMI <95th percentile.
• Measured fasting insulin, glucose, adiponectin, CRP, body composition (BMI z-score, percent body fat, total body fat), and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max).
• Utilized multivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of CRP.

Main Results:

• CRP positively correlated with body composition metrics (BMI z-score, percent body fat, total body fat) and negatively with VO2max.
• VO2max and percent body fat were identified as independent predictors of CRP.
• No significant correlations were found between CRP, fitness, fatness, and insulin resistance (QUICKI) in these non-obese children.

Conclusions:

• In non-obese children, lower physical fitness and higher body fat are associated with inflammation, evidenced by elevated CRP levels.
• These findings underscore the importance of promoting both physical fitness and healthy body composition in all children, regardless of BMI.
• Further research may explore the long-term cardiovascular implications of inflammation in fit, non-obese youth.