Differences in Fat Depots, Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, and Insulin Resistance Between Active and Passive School...

Active commuting to and from school (ACS) is a feasible strategy to increase daily physical activity in children. Although ACS has been associated with favourable body composition and selected cardiometabolic markers, its association with specific ectopic fat depots remains unclear in paediatric populations.

To examine differences in specific fat depots and cardiometabolic risk factors between children who actively and passively commute to school.

Cross-sectional baseline data from 174 children (48.9% girls; mean age 10.8 ± 1.4 years) participating in the EFIGRO and MICROKID projects were analysed. ACS mode was self-reported using a validated questionnaire and classified as active or passive. Visceral adipose tissue, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, intermuscular abdominal adipose tissue, hepatic fat, intrapancreatic fat, and lumbar spine marrow fat were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging. Cardiometabolic risk factors included blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance estimated by the homeostasis model assessment.

No significant differences were observed between active and passive commuters for any fat depot (all p ≥ 0.150) or cardiometabolic risk factors, including insulin resistance and the overall cardiometabolic risk score (all p ≥ 0.220).

Active commuting to/from school was not associated with differences in ectopic fat depots, cardiometabolic risk factors, or insulin resistance in children.