title: Cognitive control in preadolescent children with risk factors for metabolic syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between cognitive control and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors in preadolescent children while controlling for aerobic fitness and weight status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted using aerobic fitness, demographic, and MetS risk-factor variables in a sample of 2nd- and 3rd-grade children (n = 139) who performed a modified version of a flanker task to assess cognitive control. Flanker performance was also compared between children that met no MetS risk-factor criteria (n = 70), and children who met 1 criterion or more (n = 69).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regression analyses indicated that after controlling for demographic variables and fitness, HDL cholesterol exhibited an independent negative association with flanker reaction time (RT). Group comparisons further revealed that children with no risk factors demonstrated overall shorter RT than the at-risk group. In addition, at-risk children exhibited larger accuracy-interference scores (i.e., poorer performance) for the more difficult conditions of the flanker task that required the up-regulation of cognitive control to meet elevated task demands.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings are consonant with the previous literature reporting a beneficial influence of aerobic fitness on cognitive control, and reveal new evidence that children without risk factors for MetS exhibit better inhibitory control and increased cognitive flexibility than do at-risk children. In addition to aerobic fitness, these risk factors may serve as important biomarkers for understanding the potential cognitive implications of MetS risk in younger generations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology & Community Health.
authors.forename: Mark R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Scudder
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology & Community Health.
authors.forename: Naiman A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lambourne
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology & Community Health.
authors.forename: Eric S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Drollette
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Augustana College.
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center.
authors.forename: Jessica L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Betts
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Washburn
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center.
authors.forename: Joseph E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology & Community Health.
authors.forename: Charles H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hillman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors