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Pediatrics

Does cardiorespiratory fitness moderate the prospective association between physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors in children?

International Journal of Obesity volume 42, pages 1029–1038 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Physical activity (PA) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are independently associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk in children, and may affect risk through different pathways. This study aims to examine if CRF moderate the prospective association between PA, sedentary time, and cardiometabolic outcomes in 10-year-old children.

Subjects/Methods

In total, 718 children of 1129 (drop out n = 7) had valid measures of PA (accelerometry), CRF (the Andersen running test), and a cardiometabolic risk profile measured at baseline and follow-up 7 months later. Cardiometabolic outcomes were systolic blood pressure, waist circumference (WC), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin (HOMA-IR). The cardiometabolic risk factors were analysed individually, and as a clustered risk score (z score). A linear mixed model was used to examine the prospective associations between different PA exposures (overall PA, sedentary time, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), vigorous PA) and cardiometabolic outcomes, including the interaction term PA × CRF in the model to assess moderation by CRF.

Results

CRF modified the association for baseline overall PA (P < 0.039) and MVPA (min/day) with clustered cardiometabolic risk at follow-up (P < 0.023). Moreover, CRF modified the association between overall PA and MVPA with HOMA-IR independent of WC (P < 0.022). When stratified by CRF level (median split; high/low), MVPA predicted lower HOMA-IR [MVPA β −0.133 (95% CI: −0.223, −0.043); P = 0.004] and clustered cardiometabolic risk [MVPA β −0.094 (95% CI: −0.169, −0.019); P = 0.014] in children with low CRF, but not among their fitter peers (P > 0.232). There was neither direct association between sedentary time and cardiometabolic risk factors in any analyses, nor moderation by CRF.

Conclusion

CRF significantly moderated the prospective association between PA and the clustered cardiometabolic risk, but not for time spent sedentary. The magnitude of association between MVPA and clustered cardiometabolic risk was stronger in children with low CRF, and no associations appeared present in their high-fit peers.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the children and their parents/guardians from the 57 participating elementary schools for their time and effort. We would also like to acknowledge all colleagues and students who participated in data collection.

Funding:

The study was supported by grants from the Research Council of Norway (grant number 221047/F40 and 249932/F20), the Gjensidige Foundation (grant number 1042294), and the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (formerly credited as the Sogn og Fjordane University College).

Authors Contribution

The authors’ responsibilities were as follows—G.K.R., S.A.A., L.B.A., E.Aa., and U.E. designed the Active Smarter Kids Study. T.S., E.Aa., M.S., S.A.A., and G.K.R. conducted the research. T.S., E.Aa., and U.E. analysed the data. T.S., E.Aa., G.K.R., and U.E. wrote the manuscript. T.S., E.Aa., G.K.R., and U.E. had primary responsibility for the final content. All authors have read, provided feedback, and approved submission of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Education, Arts and Sports, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Sogndal, Norway

    Turid Skrede, Eivind Aadland, Lars Bo Andersen, Mette Stavnsbo, Sigmund Alfred Anderssen & Geir Kåre Resaland

  2. Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway

    Turid Skrede, Mette Stavnsbo, Sigmund Alfred Anderssen & Ulf Ekelund

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Skrede, T., Aadland, E., Andersen, L.B. et al. Does cardiorespiratory fitness moderate the prospective association between physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors in children?. Int J Obes 42, 1029–1038 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-018-0108-z

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