Serum lipids, serum insulin, plasma fibrinogen and aerobic capacity in obese and non-obese Singaporean boys.
OBJECTIVE
To compare blood lipids, lipoproteins, apoproteins, fibrinogen, insulin and aerobic capacity in obese and non-obese Chinese Singaporean boys. To examine relationships between blood metabolites, body composition and aerobic capacity in these groups.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Forty Chinese Singaporean boys aged 13-15 y. Classified as obese (n=20) or non-obese (n=20) based on adiposity (fat mass/fat free mass): >0.60=obese, <0.40=non-obese.


METHODS
Body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), waist circumference, peak oxygen consumption (VO(2) peak), serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol/HDL-C, apoproteins AI and B, lipoprotein(a), insulin and glucose. Plasma concentration of fibrinogen.


RESULTS
Obese boys had significantly (P<0.01) higher (mean+/-s.d.) concentrations of serum triacylglycerol (1.51+/-0.65 vs 1.04+/-0.34 mmol/l), serum insulin (24.1+/-11.5 vs 12.3+/-4.45 mU/l) and plasma fibrinogen (4.01+/-0.54 vs 3.35+/-0.76 g/l) than non-obese boys. Within the non-obese group plasma fibrinogen concentration was significantly related to percentage body fat (r=0.546, P<0.05). VO(2) peak relative to body mass (ml/kg/min or ml/kg(-0.67)/min) was significantly (P<0.001) lower in obese compared to non-obese boys but absolute VO(2) peak (l/min), adjusted for fat-free mass via analysis of covariance, was higher in obese than non-obese boys (P<0.01). Partial correlations revealed that none of the blood metabolites were significantly related to VO(2) peak independent of body fatness.


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity was related to elevated concentrations of serum triacylglycerol, serum insulin and plasma fibrinogen in Chinese Singaporean boys. These elevated concentrations did not appear to be associated with a lower aerobic capacity (independent of body fatness) in the obese.
Stensel
D J
DJ
Department of Physical Education, Sports Science and Recreation Management, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. D.J.Stensel@lboro.ac.uk
Lin
F P
FP
Ho
T F
TF
Aw
T C
TC
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*
D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D005340:Fibrinogen