The role of adiposity in the relationship between physical fitness with cardiometabolic risk factors, adipocytokines and inflammation in children

PurposeTo assess the role of adiposity in the relationship between physical fitness with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF), adipocytokines and inflammation in children.MethodsThis cross-sectional analysis, comprised 150 children (80 boys), aged 6-11 years, from a public school in the city of Porto Alegre/Brazil. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular fitness (MF), systolic and diastolic blood pressure and percentage of body fat were evaluated. Blood samples were collected to determine leptin, adiponectin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. CMRF was defined by the z score sum of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, total cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure.ResultsThe association between CRF with CMRF (Indirect effect (IE)=- 0.0005; CI - 0.0010 to - 0.0002) and leptin (IE=- 0.0116; CI - 0.0185 to - 0.0062) is influenced by adiposity. The association between MF and CMRF (IE: - 0.0991; CI - 0.1971 to - 0.0217), leptin (IE: - 3.0251; CI - 4.2660 to - 2.0956) and CRP (IE: - 0.3590; CI - 0.6903 to - 0.0981) were also influenced by adiposity. Furthermore, the relationship between CRF and CMRF (beta =0.0001; p=0.04) and leptin (beta =0.0008; p=0.02), as well as between MF and CMRF (beta =0.01; p=0.02) varied according to adiposity level.ConclusionAdiposity exert an essential role in the relationship of physical fitness with CMRF, adipocytokines and inflammation in children. This findings support the key role of adiposity, indicating that beyond physical fitness increases, intervention programs should also focus on decreasing adiposity in children.