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Adiposity, activity, fitness, and C-reactive protein in children
Anne L Parrett1, Rudy J Valentine, Sigurbjörn A Arngrímsson
1Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA.
Insights
In children, higher adiposity is linked to increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, indicating inflammation. However, regular physical activity is associated with lower CRP, suggesting its protective role against systemic inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Biomarkers of Inflammation
- Childhood Obesity
Background:
- Systemic inflammation, indicated by C-reactive protein (CRP), is a growing concern in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the interplay between lifestyle factors and inflammation is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and adiposity with CRP levels in prepubescent children.
- To identify key modifiable factors for reducing systemic inflammation in children.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 45 prepubescent children (9.4 ± 1.6 years).
- Assessment of adiposity (percent fat) via DXA, CRF via graded exercise test, physical activity via pedometers, and serum CRP levels.
- Statistical analyses included correlations and regression models.
Main Results:
- Adiposity (BMI and percent fat) showed a significant positive correlation with CRP (P < 0.001).
- Physical activity (step count) and CRF were inversely associated with CRP (P < 0.05).
- Percent fat and physical activity were independent predictors of CRP, explaining significant variance.
Conclusions:
- Adiposity is a primary driver of elevated CRP in prepubescent children, irrespective of fitness or activity levels.
- Habitual physical activity demonstrates an inverse relationship with CRP, suggesting a protective effect.
- Interventions targeting adiposity and promoting physical activity are recommended to mitigate chronic inflammation in children.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to examine the relative association of physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), and adiposity with C-reactive protein (CRP) in prepubescent children.
Methods:
Forty-five prepubescent children (age = 9.4 ± 1.6 yr; 26 boys) were assessed for adiposity (percent fat) via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, CRF with a peak graded exercise test, physical activity using pedometers, and systemic inflammation via serum CRP.
Results:
Adiposity was positively correlated with CRP (body mass index, r = 0.61; percent fat, r = 0.59, P < 0.001), whereas step count and CRF were inversely associated with CRP (r = -0.49 and -0.37, respectively, all P values < 0.05). Compared across fitness or physical activity and adiposity groups, the low-fit/high-fat and the low-activity/high-fat groups had higher CRP than both low-fat groups. There was also a main effect of physical activity (P < 0.01) but not fitness on CRP. Regression analyses revealed that percent fat (ß = 0.59, P = 0.002) and physical activity (ß = -0.35, P = 0.011) were the only independent predictors of CRP, explaining 16.0% and 10.0% of the variance, respectively.
Conclusions:
Adiposity is positively related to serum CRP in prepubescent children, independent of the effects of fitness or physical activity. In addition, physical activity is inversely associated with CRP levels. This research identified habitual physical activity and adiposity as focal points for the design of interventions attempting to reduce chronic systemic inflammation in children.
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