Associations between accelerometry measured physical activity and sedentary time and the metabolic syndrome: A meta‐analysis of more than 6000 children and adolescents

Background The association between cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity and coronary artery calcium (CAC) is unclear, and whether higher levels of fitness attenuate CAC prevalence in subjects with metabolic syndrome is not fully elucidated. The present study aims to: a) investigate the independent association of fitness on the prevalence of CAC, after adjustment for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary time, and b) study the possible attenuation of increased CAC by higher fitness, in participants with metabolic syndrome. Design Cross-sectional. Methods In total 678 participants (52% women), 50–65 years old, from the SCAPIS pilot study were included. Fitness (VO2max) was estimated by submaximal cycle ergometer test and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary time were assessed using hip-worn accelerometers. CAC score (CACS) was quantified using the Agatston score. Results The odds of having a significant CACS (≥100) was half in participants with moderate/high fitness compared with their low fitness counterparts. Further consideration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, sedentary time and number of components of the metabolic syndrome did only slightly alter the effect size. Those with metabolic syndrome had 47% higher odds for significant CAC compared with those without metabolic syndrome. However, moderate/high fitness seems to partially attenuate this risk, as further joint analysis indicated an increased odds for having significant CAC only in the unfit metabolic syndrome participants. Conclusions Being fit is associated with a reduced risk of having significant CAC in individuals with metabolic syndrome. While still very much underutilized, fitness should be taken into consideration in everyday clinical risk prediction in addition to the traditional risk factors of the metabolic syndrome.

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Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents With Chronic Respiratory Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2020-0641 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 219-229

Author(s):

Rodrigo Torres-Castro ◽

Luis Vasconcello-Castillo ◽

Roberto Acosta-Dighero ◽

Nicolás Sepúlveda-Cáceres ◽

Marisol Barros-Poblete ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Respiratory Diseases ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Slight Reduction ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Chronic Respiratory Diseases

Background: The literature is unclear as to whether children and adolescents with chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) differ from their healthy peers in physical activity (PA). Objective: To determine the PA levels measured through accelerometers in children and adolescents with CRDs. Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review using five databases. The authors included studies that assessed the PA measured by accelerometers in children and adolescents with CRDs. Two independent reviewers analyzed the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of evidence. Results: From 11,497 reports returned by the initial search, 29 articles reporting on 4381 patients were included. In the sensitivity analysis, the authors found that children and adolescents with CRDs had a moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) of −0.08 hours per day (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.12 to −0.03 h/d; P = .001), which was lower than the healthy controls; the values for sedentary time (mean difference −0.47 h/d; 95% CI, −1.29 to 0.36 h/d; P = .27) and steps/d (mean difference 361 steps/d; 95% CI −385 to 1707 steps/d; P = .45) were similar for both. Conclusion: Children and adolescents with CRDs have a slight reduction in MVPA in comparison with healthy controls, but sedentary time and steps/d were similar for both.

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Metabolic syndrome in youth: current issues and challenges

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/h06-094 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 13-22 ◽

Cited By ~ 42

Author(s):

Terry T.-K. Huang ◽

Geoff D.C. Ball ◽

Paul W. Franks

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Lifestyle Modification ◽

Pediatric Population ◽

Population Level ◽

Individual Risk ◽

Adult Health ◽

The Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Definition Of

The current paper reviews the important issues and challenges facing children and adolescents with the metabolic syndrome (MetS). Studies suggest that the MetS and its risk components may be on the rise in children along with rising rates of obesity; however, further study remains warranted. The topics reviewed encompass the definition of the syndrome, its prevalence, clustering and tracking of metabolic risk factors, the role of physical activity and diet in the development of the MetS, criticisms and utility of the MetS definition, and special considerations needed in the pediatric population. Physical activity and diet may play important roles in the MetS; however, research with precise measurements of activity, diet, and metabolic outcomes is needed. The paper concludes by emphasizing that regardless of one’s position in the ongoing debate about the MetS, the long-term risks attributable to each individual risk component are real. The abnormality of one component should automatically prompt the screening of other components. Among children and adolescents, lifestyle modification should always serve as the frontline strategy. Prevention during childhood is key to the largest possible impact on adult health at the population level.

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