Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, motor competence, and adiposity in children

We investigated the associations of motor competence (MC) with peak oxygen uptake (V.O-2peak), peak power output (W-max), and body fat percentage (BF%) and whether measures of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) modify the associations between MC and BF%. Altogether, 35 children (aged 7-11 years) in the CHIPASE Study and 297 in PANIC Study (aged 9-11 years) participated in the study. MC was assessed using KTK and modified Eurofit tests. V.O-2peak and W-max were measured by maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer and scaled by lean mass (LM) or body mass (BM). BF% was assessed either by bioimpedance (CHIPASE) or DXA (PANIC). MC was not associated with V.O-2peak/LM (standardized regression coefficient beta = 0.073-0.188, P > .083). V.O-2peak/BM and W-max/LM and BM were positively associated with MC (beta = 0.158-0.610, P .381), was inversely associated with BF%. Furthermore, the associations of MC with BF% were not modified by CRF. These results suggest that the positive associations between MC and CRF scaled by BM are a function of adiposity and not peak aerobic power and that CRF is not modifying factor in the associations of MC and BF%.Peer reviewe

Tieteelliset perusteet varhaisvuosien fyysisen aktiivisuuden suosituksille

AbstractThe proposal to update the Recommendations for physical activity in early childhood education (Guides of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2005:17) was made in the context of the national Joy in Motion programme, where the focus is on early childhood education. The update was started by compiling the most recent scientific knowledge to be used as the basis for preparing the recommendations for physical activity in early childhood. The aim was to set out recommendations that could be applied as broadly as possible. The update and drafting of the recommendations was done as part of the work of the Physical exercise to promote health and wellbeing steering group (TEHYLI), appointed and coordinated jointly by the Ministry of Education and Culture and Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The steering group commented on and approved the multidisciplinary international group of experts specifically invited to carry out the task. The experts represented different fields of science and some of them were carrying out nationally funded research projects on physical activity and wellbeing among children under eight years of age. The group of experts started its work in January 2016 by compiling the most recent international and national research information on various themes relating to physical activity and exercise and comprehensive development and wellbeing in early childhood. This work produced two publications: Recommendations for physical activity in early childhood 2016 - Joy, play and doing together (Ministry of Education and Culture 2016:21) and Scientific justification for the recommendations for physical activity in early childhood. The recommendations for physical activity in early childhood inform about the amount and type of physical activity for the under eight-year-olds, roles of the physical, psychological and social environments, and planning and implementation of guided physical exercise and education on exercise as part of early childhood education. The scientific justification is intended for early childhood education, physical exercise and healthcare professionals, including teachers and researchers.TiivistelmäVarhaiskasvatukseen keskittyvän valtakunnallisen Ilo kasvaa liikkuen -ohjelman kehittelytyössätehtiin aloite Varhaiskasvatuksen liikunnan suositusten (Sosiaali- ja terveysministeriön oppaita2005:17) päivittämisestä. Päivittämisen lähtökohtana oli erityisesti uusimman tutkimusperustaisentieteellisen tiedon kokoaminen ja niiden pohjalta varhaisvuosien fyysisen aktiivisuudensuositusten laatiminen. Tavoitteena oli kirjata sellaiset suositukset, joita voitaisiin soveltaamahdollisimman laajalle kohdejoukolle. Suositusten päivittäminen ja valmistelu tapahtuivatosana opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriön sekä sosiaali- ja terveysministeriön yhdessä asettamanja koordinoiman Terveyttä ja hyvinvointia edistävän liikunnan (TEHYLI) -ohjausryhmäntyötä. TEHYLI-ohjausryhmä kommentoi ja hyväksyi tehtävään erikseen kutsutun monitieteisenkansallisen asiantuntijaryhmän. Asiantuntijat edustivat eri tieteenaloja ja osalla heistä olikansallista tutkimusrahoitusta saaneita tutkimusprojekteja alle kahdeksan vuotiaiden lastenliikunnasta ja hyvinvoinnista. Asiantuntijaryhmä aloitti työnsä tammikuussa 2016 kokoamallaeri teema-alueilta uusinta kansainvälistä ja kansallista tutkimustietoa varhaiskasvatusikäistenlasten fyysistä aktiivisuutta ja liikuntaa sekä kokonaisvaltaista kehitystä ja hyvinvointia selvittäneistätutkimuksista. Työskentely johti kahteen julkaisuun, joissa toisessa annetaan fyysisenaktiivisuuden suosituksia varhaisvuosille (Varhaisvuosien fyysisen aktiivisuuden suositukset2016. Iloa, leikkiä ja yhdessä tekemistä. Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö 2016:21) sekä tähänsuositusten tieteelliset perusteet sisältävään julkaisuun. Varhaisvuosien fyysisen aktiivisuudensuositukset antavat ohjeita alle kahdeksanvuotiaiden lasten fyysisen aktiivisuuden määrästäja laadusta, fyysisen, psyykkisen ja sosiaalisen ympäristön rooleista sekä ohjatun liikunnanja liikuntakasvatuksen suunnittelusta ja toteuttamisesta osana varhaiskasvatusta. Suositustentieteelliset perusteet on tarkoitettu erityisesti varhaiskasvatus-, liikunta- ja terveydenhuollonammattilaisten, kuten opettajien ja tutkijoiden käyttöön.</p

Prevalence and associated factors of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease in overweight Finnish children and adolescents

IntroductionData on the prevalence of pediatric fatty liver disease remain limited, partly due to challenges in diagnosis. A novel concept of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) makes it possible to establish the diagnosis in overweight children with sufficiently elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT). We investigated the prevalence, risk factors, and metabolic co-morbidities of MAFLD in a large group of overweight children.MethodsData on 703 patients aged 2-16 years examined due to overweight in different levels of healthcare in 2002-2020 were collected retrospectively from patient records. MAFLD was here defined as ALT &gt;2x reference (&gt;44 U/l in girls and &gt;50 U/l in boys) in overweight children according to recently updated definition. Patients with MAFLD and without it were compared, and subgroup analyses were conducted among boys and girls.ResultsMedian age was 11.5 years, and 43% were girls. Altogether 11% were overweight, 42% obese and 47% severely obese. Abnormal glucose metabolism was present in 44%, dyslipidemia in 51%, hypertension in 48% and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in 2%. MAFLD prevalence varied between 14-20% in examined years without significant change (p=0.878). The pooled prevalence over the years was 15% (boys 18%, girls 11%; p=0.018), peaking in girls at early puberty and increasing in boys with age and puberty. Associated factors in boys were T2D (OR 7.55, 95% CI 1.23-46.2), postpubertal stage (5.39, 2.26-12.8), increased fasting insulin (3.20, 1.44-7.10), hypertriglyceridemia (2.97, 1.67-5.30), hyperglycemia (2.88, 1.64-5.07), decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (2.16, 1.18-3.99), older age (1.28, 1.15-1.42) and higher body-mass-index (1.01, 1.05-1.15), and in girls T2D (18.1, 3.16-103), hypertriglyceridemia (4.28, 1.99-9.21), and decreased HDL (4.06, 1.87-8.79).ConclusionPrevalence of MAFLD was 15%, with no statistically significant increase in the 2000s. The condition was associated in general with male gender, puberty stage and disturbances in glucose and lipid metabolism, and higher age and BMI in boys

The Composition and Functional Capacities of Saliva Microbiota Differ Between Children With Low and High Sweet Treat Consumption

Excess sugar consumption—common in youth—is associated with poor health. Evidence on the relationship between sugar consumption and the oral microbiome, however, remains scarce and inconclusive. We explored whether the diversity, composition, and functional capacities of saliva microbiota differ based on the consumption of select sugary foods and drinks (“sweet treats”). Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we characterized saliva microbiota from 11 to 13-year-old children who participated in the Finnish Health in Teens (Fin-HIT) cohort study. The sample comprised children in the lowest (n = 227) and highest (n = 226) tertiles of sweet treat consumption. We compared differences in the alpha diversity (Shannon, inverse Simpson, and Chao1 indices), beta diversity (principal coordinates analysis based on Bray–Curtis dissimilarity), and abundance (differentially abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the genus level) between these low and high consumption groups. We performed PICRUSt2 to predict the metabolic pathways of microbial communities. No differences emerged in the alpha diversity between low and high sweet treat consumption, whereas the beta diversity differed between groups (p = 0.001). The abundance of several genera such as Streptococcus, Prevotella, Veillonella, and Selenomonas was higher in the high consumption group compared with the low consumption group following false discovery rate correction (p < 0.05). Children with high sweet treat consumption exhibited higher proportions of nitrate reduction IV and gondoate biosynthesis pathways compared with the low consumption group (p < 0.05). To conclude, sweet treat consumption shapes saliva microbiota. Children who consume a high level of sweet treats exhibited different compositions and metabolic pathways compared with children who consume low levels of sweet treats. Our findings reveal novel insights into the relationship between sugary diets and oral microbiota.Peer reviewe

Effects of 2-year physical activity and dietary intervention on adrenarchal and pubertal development: the PANIC study.

CONTEXT Childhood overweight has been linked to earlier development of adrenarche and puberty, but it remains unknown if lifestyle interventions influence sexual maturation in general populations. OBJECTIVE To investigate if a 2-year lifestyle intervention influences circulating androgen concentrations and sexual maturation in a general population of children. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS A 2-year intervention study in which 421 prepubertal and mostly normal-weight 6-9-year-old children were allocated either to a lifestyle intervention group (119 girls, 132 boys) or a control group (84 girls, 86 boys). INTERVENTION A 2-year physical activity and dietary intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Serum dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, and testosterone concentrations, and clinical adrenarchal and pubertal signs. RESULTS The intervention and control groups had no differences in body size and composition, clinical signs of androgen action, and serum androgens at baseline. The intervention attenuated the increase of dehydroepiandrosterone (p = 0.032), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (p = 0.001), androstenedione (p = 0.003), and testosterone (p = 0.007) and delayed pubarche (p = 0.038) in boys but it only attenuated the increase of dehydroepiandrosterone (p = 0.013) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (p = 0.003) in girls. These effects of lifestyle intervention on androgens and the development of pubarche were independent of changes in body size and composition but the effects of intervention on androgens were partly explained by changes in fasting serum insulin. CONCLUSIONS A combined physical activity and dietary intervention attenuates the increase of serum androgen concentrations and sexual maturation in a general population of prepubertal and mostly normal-weight children, independently of changes in body size and composition

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in relation to cardiometabolic risk in children: cross-sectional findings from the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) Study

BACKGROUND: Lower levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) have been associated with increased cardiometabolic risk among children. However, little is known about the independent and combined associations of PA and SB as well as different types of these behaviours with cardiometabolic risk in children. We therefore investigated these relationships among children. METHODS: The subjects were a population sample of 468 children 6–8 years of age. PA and SB were assessed by a questionnaire administered by parents and validated by a monitor combining heart rate and accelerometry measurements. We assessed body fat percentage, waist circumference, blood glucose, serum insulin, plasma lipids and lipoproteins and blood pressure and calculated a cardiometabolic risk score using population-specific Z-scores and a formula waist circumference + insulin + glucose + triglycerides - HDL cholesterol + mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure. We analysed data using multivariate linear regression models. RESULTS: Total PA was inversely associated with the cardiometabolic risk score (β = -0.135, p = 0.004), body fat percentage (β = -0.155, p < 0.001), insulin (β = -0.099, p = 0.034), triglycerides (β = -0.166, p < 0.001), VLDL triglycerides (β = -0.230, p < 0.001), VLDL cholesterol (β = -0.168, p = 0.001), LDL cholesterol (β = -0.094, p = 0.046) and HDL triglycerides (β = -0.149, p = 0.004) and directly related to HDL cholesterol (β = 0.144, p = 0.002) adjusted for age and gender. Unstructured PA was inversely associated with the cardiometabolic risk score (β = -0.123, p = 0.010), body fat percentage (β = -0.099, p = 0.027), insulin (β = -0.108, p = 0.021), triglycerides (β = -0.144, p = 0.002), VLDL triglycerides (β = -0.233, p < 0.001) and VLDL cholesterol (β = -0.199, p < 0.001) and directly related to HDL cholesterol (β = 0.126, p = 0.008). Watching TV and videos was directly related to the cardiometabolic risk score (β = 0.135, p = 0.003), body fat percentage (β = 0.090, p = 0.039), waist circumference (β = 0.097, p = 0.033) and systolic blood pressure (β = 0.096, p = 0.039). Resting was directly associated with the cardiometabolic risk score (β = 0.092, p = 0.049), triglycerides (β = 0.131, p = 0.005), VLDL triglycerides (β = 0.134, p = 0.009), VLDL cholesterol (β = 0.147, p = 0.004) and LDL cholesterol (β = 0.105, p = 0.023). Other types of PA and SB had less consistent associations with cardiometabolic risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study emphasise increasing total and unstructured PA and decreasing watching TV and videos and other sedentary behaviours to reduce cardiometabolic risk among children. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01803776

Associations of physical activity, sedentary time, and cardiorespiratory fitness with heart rate variability in 6- to 9-year-old children: the PANIC study

Abstract: Purpose: To study the associations of physical activity (PA), sedentary time (ST), and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with heart rate variability (HRV) in children. Methods: The participants were a population sample of 377 children aged 6–9 years (49% boys). ST, light PA (LPA), moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and PA energy expenditure (PAEE) were assessed using a combined heart rate and movement sensor, maximal power output per kilograms of lean body mass as a measure of CRF by maximal cycle ergometer exercise test, and HRV variables (SDNN, RMSSD, LF, and HF) using 5 min resting electrocardiography. Data were analysed by linear regression adjusted for years from peak height velocity. Results: In boys, ST was inversely associated (β = − 0.185 to − 0.146, p ≤ 0.049) and MVPA, VPA, PAEE, and CRF were directly associated (β = 0.147 to 0.320, p ≤ 0.048) with HRV variables. CRF was directly associated with all HRV variables and PAEE was directly associated with RMSSD after mutual adjustment for ST, PAEE, and CRF (β = 0.169 to 0.270, p ≤ 0.046). In girls, ST was inversely associated (β = − 0.382 to − 0.294, p < 0.001) and LPA, MPA, VPA, MVPA, and PAEE were directly associated with HRV variables (β = 0.144 to 0.348, p ≤ 0.049). After mutual adjustment for ST, PAEE, and CRF, only the inverse associations of ST with HRV variables remained statistically significant. Conclusions: Higher ST and lower PA and CRF were associated with poorer cardiac autonomic nervous system function in children. Lower CRF in boys and higher ST in girls were the strongest correlates of poorer cardiac autonomic function

Low serum folate concentrations are associated with an excess incidence of acute coronary events: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/51489/1/Voutilainen S, Low Serum Folate Concentrations, 2000.pd