Relations of adiposity and effects of training on the left ventricle in obese youths.
OBJECTIVE
1) To determine the relations of left ventricular (LV) structure and function to total body composition, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and hemodynamics in obese children; 2) to determine the effects of 4-month of physical training (PT) on LV structure and function and hemodynamics; and 3) to explore determinants of individual variability in response to PT.


METHODS
Measurements included LV structure/function with echocardiography, total body composition with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, VAT with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and resting and exercising hemodynamics with a Dinamap monitor and Doppler-echocardiography. Youths were randomly assigned to engage in PT for the first or second 4-month periods of the 8-month intervention period.


RESULTS
Correlation and regression at baseline showed that elevated LV mass was associated with excess general and visceral adiposity, and elevated cardiac output. Although the PT had favorable effects on percent body fat and VAT, no significant changes were found in LV or hemodynamic variables. Over the 4-month period of the PT intervention, those who increased the most in VAT tended to increase the most in LV mass.


CONCLUSIONS
General and visceral adiposity were associated with elevated LV mass. However, no evidence was provided that 4 months of PT had a significant effect on LV or hemodynamic variables.
Humphries
Matthew C
MC
Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, 1499 Walton Way, HS1640, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. mhumphri@mail.mcg.edu
Gutin
Bernard
B
Barbeau
Paule
P
Vemulapalli
Sarita
S
Allison
Jerry
J
Owens
Scott
S
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001824:Body Constitution / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016276:Ventricular Function; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*