Association between Obesity and Overweight and Cardiorespiratory and Muscle Performance in Adolescents

The high prevalence of obesity in childhood and adolescence has major public health consequences, since it is associated with various chronic diseases in the short- and long-term. The goal of our study was to examine the possible association between obesity and overweight and cardiorespiratory and muscle performance during a 4-year follow up period in adolescents. The body mass index (BMI) and physical performance of adolescents (360 girls and 348 boys) between 14–18 years of age was measured twice a year, and the possible correlation between overweight and obesity and cardiorespiratory and muscle performances were investigated. Our results revealed that cardiorespiratory performance increased significantly in boys during the 4 years (p < 0.001), but the aerobic performance of girls only showed seasonal fluctuation. Muscle performance significantly increased both in boys and girls (p < 0.001). Inverse association between obesity and cardiorespiratory and muscle performance was proved. Overweight was also inversely correlated with cardiorespiratory performance, but it demonstrated no correlation with muscle strength. Avoiding increased BMI and decreased physical fitness is essential for adolescents’ health to prevent short- and long-term adverse effects

Examination of Self-Esteem, Body Image, Eating Attitudes and Cardiorespiratory Performance in Adolescents

Self-esteem, body image and eating attitudes are important characteristics regarding adolescent mental health. In our present work, we aimed to investigate these psychological items in adolescent boys and girls examining gender differences and correlations with the BMI-for-age and cardiorespiratory performance. 374 students (209 girls with an average age of 16.4 ± 1.08 years, and 165 boys with an average age of 16.5 ± 1.03 years) underwent investigation using the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, EAT-26 and BAT questionnaires. The BMI-for-age was calculated with BMI growth charts and the cardiorespiratory performance was measured with the 20 m shuttle run test. Our results showed that adolescent girls scored lower self-esteem and higher values for BAT and each scale of eating behaviors, such as uncontrolled eating, cognitive restraints and emotional eating compared to boys despite the fact, that obesity and overweight were more common among boys. No significant correlation was found between BMI and psychological test results in either boys or girls, however, subjective body shape and gender predicted self-esteem and BAT scores and the cognitive restraints in the eating attitudes. Uncontrolled and emotional eating were primarily influenced by gender, in which BMI played only a weaker role. Cardiorespiratory performance was positively associated with self-esteem and body image among boys, and it had a negative correlation regarding BMI in both genders

Effect of L-2286 on the phosphorylation state of MAPK pathway.

<p>Representative Western blot analysis of ERK 1/2^{Thr183-Tyr185}, and p38-MAPK^{Thr180-Gly-Tyr182} phosphorylation and densitometric evaluation is shown (n = 4). Actin was used as loading control. Values are means±S.E.M. WKY: normotensive age-matched control rats. SHR-C: 30 week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats, SHR-L: 30 week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with L-2286 for 24 weeks. ^§p<0.05 vs. WKY ^*p<0.01 vs. WKY.</p

L-2286 treatment moderately influenced the echocardiographic parameters in 30 weeks old SHRs.

<p>WKY: normotensive age-matched control rats, n = 7, SHR-C: SHR age-matched control rats, n = 8, SHR-L: n = 9, SHR treated with L-2286 for 24 weeks.EF^30w: ejection fraction, F^30w: fractional shortening, LVEDV^30w: left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume, LVESV^30w: LV end-systolic volume, Septum^30w: thickness of septum, PW^30w: thickness of posterior wall, RWT^30w: relative wall thickness, LV mass^30w: weights of LVs. Values are mean±S.E.M.</p>a<p>p<0.05 (vs. WKY group),</p>b<p>p<0.05 (vs. SHR-C group).</p

Chemical structure of L-2286 (2-[(2-Piperidine-1-ylethyl)thio]quinazolin-4(3H)-one).

<p>Chemical structure of L-2286 (2-[(2-Piperidine-1-ylethyl)thio]quinazolin-4(3H)-one).</p

Effect of L-2286 administration on the activity of PKC isoenzymes.

<p>Representative Western blot analysis of PKC pan βII^Ser660 and PKC α/βII^Thr638/641 phosphorylation and densitometric evaluations are shown (n = 4). Values are means±S.E.M. WKY: normotensive age-matched control rats. SHR-C: 30 week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats, SHR-L: 30 week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with L-2286 for 24 weeks. ^*p<0.01 vs. WKY, ^†p<0.01 vs. SHR-C.</p

Effect of L-2286 administration of PKC isoenzymes.

<p>Representative Western blot analysis of PKC δ^Thr505, ε^Ser729 and ζ/λ^Thr410/403 phosphorylation and densitometric evaluation is shown (n = 4). Actin was used as loading control. Values are means±S.E.M. WKY: normotensive age-matched control rats. SHR-C: 30 week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats, SHR-L: 30 week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with L-2286 for 24 weeks. ^*p<0.01 vs. WKY, ^†p<0.01 vs. SHR-C.</p

Effect of L-2286 treatment on the level of Hsp72, 90 and poly(ADP-ribos)ylation.

<p>Representative Western-blot analysis of Hsp72, 90, anti-PAR and densitometric evaluations are shown (n = 4). Actin was used as loading control. Values are means±S.E.M. WKY: normotensive age-matched control rats. SHR-C: 30 week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats, SHR-L: 30 week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with L-2286 for 24 weeks. ^*p<0.01 vs. WKY, ^†p<0.01 v.s SHR-C, ^§p<0.05 vs. WKY, ^$p<0.05 vs. SHR-C.</p

L-2286 treatment decreased the deposition of interstitial collagen.

<p>Sections stained with Masson's trichrome (n = 5). Scale bars mean 200 µm. Magnifications 10-fold. WKY (A): normotensive age-matched control rats. SHR-C (B): 30 week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats, SHR-L (C): 30 week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with L-2286 for 24 week. D: Denzitometric evaluation of the sections is shown. ^*p<0.01 vs. WKY, ^§p<0.05 vs. WKY, ^$p<0.05 vs. SHR-C.</p