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Influence of skinfold sum and peak VO2 on immune function in children

International Journal of Obesity volume 26, pages 822–829 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To measure the relationship of skinfold sum and peak VO2 power with immune function in children.

Design: Cross-sectional, with all children tested twice during a 2 month period for peak VO2, sum of two skinfolds, and immune function, with data from the two measures averaged and then correlated (α level, ≤0.01). Immune measures included leukocyte and lymphocyte subset counts, delayed-typed hypersensitivity (DTH), global IgG antibody response over 4 weeks to pneumococcal vaccination (pIgG), salivary IgA concentration (sIgA), PHA-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation (PHA-SLP), natural killer cell activity (NKCA), and granulocyte and monocyte phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity.

Subjects: Seventy-three children (n=42 males, n=31 females) ranging in age from 7 to 13 y (mean±s.d. age, 9.9±1.7 y). The mean skinfold sum was 28.9±17.1 mm, and peak VO2 45.8±8.1 ml/kg/min.

Results: Peak VO2, skinfold sum, and immune measures did not differ significantly by age or gender. Therefore, correlations were made on combined indices for all subjects. Peak VO2 and the skinfold sum were not significantly correlated with NKCA, oxidative burst activity, plgG or DTH. Peak VO2 was negatively correlated with monocyte phagocytosis (r=−0.30, P=0.012) and positively correlated with PHA-SLP (6.25 μg/ml; r=0.35, P=0.004). The skinfold sum was positively correlated with the total leukocyte count (r=0.39, P<0.001), granulocyte count (r=0.36, P=0.002), monocyte count (r=0.38, P=0.001), monocyte phagocytosis (r=0.41, P<0.001), granulocyte phagocytosis (r=0.35, P=0.003), and sIgA (r=0.32, P=0.006), and negatively correlated with PHA-SLP (6.25 μg/ml; r=−0.39, P=0.001).

Conclusions: Data from this study indicate that a high skinfold sum is related to elevated leukocyte subset counts and monocyte/granulocyte phagocytosis, and low PHA-SLP in children.

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Acknowledgements

Supported by a grant from General Mills Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Health, Leisure, and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina, USA

    DC Nieman, DA Henson & AC Utter

  2. Immunology Center and Department of Pathology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California, USA

    OR Fagoaga & SL Nehlsen-Cannarella

  3. Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

    G Sonnenfeld

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  1. DC Nieman
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  2. DA Henson
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Correspondence to DC Nieman.

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Nieman, D., Henson, D., Fagoaga, O. et al. Influence of skinfold sum and peak VO2 on immune function in children. Int J Obes 26, 822–829 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802004

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