Association among serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition in young children.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationships among indicators of physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition with serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in young children.


METHODS
Cross-sectional and 1-year prospective cohort.


METHODS
Studies of Child Activity and Nutrition (SCAN) program, Galveston, Tex.


METHODS
One hundred twenty-three 4- or 5-year-old black, Hispanic (of Mexican origin), and white children.


METHODS
Body composition, resting heart rate, and cardiovascular fitness variables and serum lipid and lipoprotein levels were measured at age 3 or 4 years (study year 1) and at age 4 or 5 years (study year 2), and day-long heart rate was measured and the Children's Activity Rating Scale was administered between study years 1 and 2.


RESULTS
Year-1 waist/hip ratios were inversely correlated with total serum cholesterol (TSC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Mean activity level was inversely correlated with waist/hip ratios. On the basis of multiple regression analysis, the sum of seven skin-fold measurements, height, and gender explained 15.4% of the variation in triglyceride levels. The sum of seven skin-fold measurements was inversely correlated with the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level. Resting heart rate, waist/hip ratio, and the slope of the exercise heart rate during fitness testing explained 19.5% of the variation in the concentration of an HDL subclass, HDL2. These children's levels of physical activity were associated with higher fitness levels. Year-1 waist/hip ratios and year-2 sum of seven skin-fold measurements were positively correlated with the LDL/HDL and TSC/HDL ratios.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher levels of cardiovascular fitness and lower levels of fatness were associated with more favorable serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in these young children. Physical activity appeared to have an indirect association with serum lipid and lipoprotein values through its relationship with higher fitness levels and lower levels of fatness.
DuRant
R H
RH
Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912.
Baranowski
T
T
Rhodes
T
T
Gutin
B
B
Thompson
W O
WO
Carroll
R
R
Puhl
J
J
Greaves
K A
KA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol