title: Cardiorespiratory fitness, but not central obesity or C-reactive protein, is related to liver function in obese children.
abstract: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most frequent complications associated with excess adiposity. Its pathogenesis is complex and there are multiple factors that may contribute to it.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To analyze whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), waist circumference (WC), and C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in children with obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  79 overweight/obese children of both genders, 11-13 year-olds, with abnormal serum ALT from Porto public schools comprised the sample. Measurements included CRF (20-m Shuttle Run Test), WC (NHANES protocol), CRP and ALT (Cholestech LDX analyzer). Logistic regression adjusted for gender, maturation, and weight with ALT levels as dependent variable (risk vs. non risk), and WC (risk vs. non risk), CRP (risk vs. non risk), and CRF (fit vs. unfit) as independent variables. Level of significance was set at 95%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Logistic regression showed that obese fit children were less likely to have abnormal ALT values (OR=.031)
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In obese children, higher cardiovascular fitness appears to reduce the chance of decreased liver function.
authors: Faculty of Sports - Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, High Education Institute from Maia, Porto, Portugal.
authors: Clarice
authors: C
authors: Martins
authors: Ismael
authors: I
authors: Freitas
authors: Andréia
authors: A
authors: Pizarro
authors: Luísa
authors: L
authors: Aires
authors: Gustavo
authors: G
authors: Silva
authors: Maria Paula
authors: MP
authors: Santos
authors: Jorge
authors: J
authors: Mota
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002648:Child; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000410:Alanine Transaminase