Fitness and fatness in children and adolescents: investigating their role in the association between physical activity and cardiometabolic health.

To verify the role of the combination of fitness and fatness in the relationship between physical activity (PA) and cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study performed with 2786 children and adolescents (6 to 17 years). Fitness was determined by the cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) six-minute walking and running test. Waist circumference (WC) was considered a fatness indicator. A selfreported questionnaire was used to determine PA practice, whereas the clustered cardiometabolic risk score (cMetS) was calculated by summing z-scores of triglycerides, total cholesterol/HDL-C ratio, systolic blood pressure, glucose, and WC. Considering the combination of CRF (fitness) and WC (fatness), the following phenotypes were created: Fit/Unfat, Fit/Fat, Unfit/Unfat and Unfit/Fat. Moderation analyses were tested using linear regression models. Significant interactions were found between PA and Unfit/Fat category (ß = -0.001; p = 0.001) only for adolescents. The interaction observed in the Unfit/Fat phenotype indicated that adolescents who practise PA for 330 minutes per week presented lower cMetS compared to those who do not practise or practise for 60 minutes respectively. The combination of fitness and fatness moderates the relationship between PA and cardiometabolic risk, suggesting that adolescents, particularly those who are less fit and present high adiposity, should be encouraged to engage in regular PA to improve their metabolic health.

From pregnancy to breastfeeding: adequate maternal body mass index is essential to prevent a high body mass index in your children.

OBJECTIVES: To verify the associations between prenatal and perinatal factors with offspring body mass index (BMI) and the moderator role of maternal BMI in this relationship. METHODS: Cross-sectional study developed with 1,562 children and adolescents aged between 6 and 17 years, as well as their mothers, from southern Brazil. The prenatal and perinatal factors, weight, and height for the calculation of maternal BMI were self-reported. For the calculation of BMI, weight and height of the child/adolescent were measured on an anthropometric scale with a coupled stadiometer. Linear regression models were used for the moderation analysis. All analyzes were adjusted for the mother's and child's age, sex, sexual maturation, skin color/race, and educational level. RESULTS: cesarean as type of delivery (ß=0.66; 95% CI=0.22 1.04; p=0.002) and pregnancy complications (ß=0.60; 95% CI=0.15 1.04; p=0.002) were positively associated with offspring BMI. Schoolchildren who were breastfed for 4-6 months showed -0.56 kg/m2 of BMI (95% CI=-1.06-0.06; p=0.02). Birth weight was also associated with BMI, with low weight being inversely (ß=-0.59; 95% CI=-1.03-0.15; p=0.008), while overweight was positively related (ß=0.84; 95% CI=0.08 1.60; p=0.02). The moderation analysis indicated a positive interaction between the mother's BMI and cesarean, pregnancy complications, and smoking with the offspring's BMI. On the other hand, there was an inverse association between breastfeeding from 7 to 12 months and the offspring BMI, only in mothers with high BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate maternal BMI is essential to prevent a high BMI in their children, especially when considering the influence of prenatal and perinatal risk factors.

Body fat percentage, cardiorespiratory fitness and arterial blood pressure in children and adolescents: a longitudinal analysis.

BACKGROUND: A better understanding of how cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and adiposity interact to associate with arterial blood pressure over time remains inconclusive. Thus, the aim of the present study was to examine whether changes in CRF moderates the association between body fat percentage (BF%) and arterial blood pressure in children and adolescents. METHODS: This is an observational longitudinal study with 407 children and adolescents aged 8-17 years followed-up for three years from a city in Southern Brazil. Participants were evaluated in 2011 and 2014. CRF was measured by validated field-based tests following the Projeto Esporte Brazil protocols and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) was estimated. BF% was determined by the measures of tricipital and subscapular skinfolds using equations according to sex. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) were measured with a sphygmomanometer according to standard procedures. Moderation analyses included multiple linear regression models adjusted for sex, age, pubertal status, height, socioeconomic level, skin color, and the arterial blood pressure variable itself at baseline. RESULTS: It was observed a significant inverse association between VO2peak at baseline with SBP (ß = - 0.646 CI95% = - 0.976 - 0.316) and DBP (ß = - 0.649 CI95% = - 0.923 - 0.375) at follow-up and a positive association between BF% at baseline with SBP (ß = 0.274; CI95% = 0.094 0.455) and DBP (ß = 0.301; CI95% = 0.150 0.453) at follow-up. In addition, results indicated a significant interaction term between changes in VO2peak and BF% at baseline with both SBP (p = 0.034) and DBP at follow-up (p = 0.011), indicating that an increase of at least 0.35 mL/kg/min and 1.78 mL/kg/min in VO2peak attenuated the positive relationship between BF% with SBP and DBP. CONCLUSION: CRF moderates the relationship between BF% and SBP and DBP in children and adolescents.

Team sports, running, walking: activity-specific associations with perceived environmental factors in adolescents.

This study aimed to analyze the association between the practice of different types of physical activity (PA) with perceived environmental factors in boys and girls adolescents. Were evaluated 1,130 adolescents from Porto Alegre, Brazil. To evaluate different PA, students answered whether or not they practiced walking, running, team sports, and others general PA. Perceived environmental factors were assessed through Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth (NEWS-Y). Analyses were performed using logistic regression. Adolescents who reported perceiving a distance up to 20 minutes to walking/running track, had their chances of practicing all types of PA increased in the total sample and for girls. For walking, it was also found an association with access in adolescents. For girls, it was found an association between shortest distance to indoor recreation or exercise facility and other playing fields/court with running and team sports. Aesthetics and road safety were associated with team sports in adolescents. Other general PA were associated with park, bike/hiking/walking trails in the total sample and for girls. Therefore, for each type of PA, specific associations of perceived environmental factors were found.

Team sports, running, walking: activity-specific associations with perceived environmental factors in adolescents / Esportes coletivos, corrida, caminhada: associações específicas de atividades com fatores ambientais percebidos em adolescentes

Abstract This study aimed to analyze the association between the practice of different types of physical activity (PA) with perceived environmental factors in boys and girls adolescents. Were evaluated 1,130 adolescents from Porto Alegre, Brazil. To evaluate different PA, students answered whether or not they practiced walking, running, team sports, and others general PA. Perceived environmental factors were assessed through Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth (NEWS-Y). Analyses were performed using logistic regression. Adolescents who reported perceiving a distance up to 20 minutes to walking/running track, had their chances of practicing all types of PA increased in the total sample and for girls. For walking, it was also found an association with access in adolescents. For girls, it was found an association between shortest distance to indoor recreation or exercise facility and other playing fields/court with running and team sports. Aesthetics and road safety were associated with team sports in adolescents. Other general PA were associated with park, bike/hiking/walking trails in the total sample and for girls. Therefore, for each type of PA, specific associations of perceived environmental factors were found.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a associação entre a prática de diferentes tipos de atividade física (AF) com fatores ambientais percebidos em meninos e meninas adolescentes. Foram avaliados 1.130 adolescentes de Porto Alegre, Brasil. Para avaliar diferentes AF, os alunos responderam se praticavam ou não caminhada, corrida, esportes coletivos e outras AF em geral. Fatores ambientais percebidos foram avaliados pelo Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth. As análises foram realizadas por meio de regressão logística. Adolescentes que relataram perceber uma distância de até 20 minutos para pista de caminhada/corrida tiveram suas chances de praticar todos os tipos de AF aumentadas na amostra total e para as meninas. Para caminhada, também foi encontrada associação com o acesso em adolescentes. Para as meninas, foi encontrada uma associação entre a menor distância para instalações de exercícios e outros campos de jogos/quadra com corrida e esportes coletivos. A estética e a segurança de ruas foram associadas com esportes coletivos em adolescentes. Outras AF gerais foram associadas com parque e trilhas de bicicleta/caminhada na amostra total e para meninas. Portanto, para cada tipo de AF, foram encontradas associações específicas de fatores ambientais percebidos.

Changes in children's self-perceived physical fitness: results from a Physical Education internet-based intervention in COVID-19 school lockdown.

Background: Children have a higher chance of decreasing health-related physical fitness during periods of school lockdown due to pandemic situations such as with COVID-19 disease. Aims: To establish the changes in children's self-perceived physical fitness (SPPF) during pandemic COVID-19 social distancing in a school lockdown and to describe the individual prevalence of changes in SPPF according to sex. Methods: It is an intervention study with a convenient sample, 67 children (6-13 years old; 50.7% girls). An intervention occurred according to the Brazilian Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC) and the State Education Secretary orientations for remote Physical Education classes. SPPF was evaluated through a questionnaire (QAPA). Generalized estimative equations (GEE) and the prevalence of changes in individual score delta (Δ) from baseline to follow-up determined the effects. Results: Positive individual changes in SPPF were observed for 21.2% of girls and 26.4% of boys. Older children presented fewer SPPF total points. There was no interaction between the evaluation period, sex, and age. However, higher baseline SPPF values presented a negative association with the individual SPPF variation (ß = - 2.52%; CI 95% - 3.97 to - 1.07; p = 0.001). Conclusion: A remote Physical Education intervention effectively maintained or even increased individual results of children's SPPF. Thereby, this study suggests that this kind of initiative should be retained for the duration of social distancing and pandemic conditions to help children maintain an active lifestyle and, consequently, achieve health benefits. Improving intervention effectiveness by focusing on girls seems to be a challenge in this matter. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11332-022-00897-1.

Association between physical fitness components and fluid intelligence according to body mass index in schoolchildren.

Physical fitness is considered a protective factor for children's general health and has been related to enhanced cognitive functioning. However, it appears that cognition could be affected in children with overweight or obesity. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between physical fitness components and fluid intelligence in normal-weight and overweight/obese children. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 317 schoolchildren participated (165 boys, 52.05%), aged between six and 11 years old (1st to 5th grade), belonging to a public school in the south of Brazil. Psychologists evaluated fluid intelligence through the Raven's Colored Progressive Matrix Test. The physical fitness evaluation followed the procedures of the "Brazil Sports Project". Weight and height were measured to determine body mass index and generalized linear regression analyses were used with a 95% confidence interval. Our results showed that agility was inversely associated with fluid intelligence only in the overweight/obese group (ß = -1.506; p = 0.01). Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness were not associated with fluid intelligence. In conclusion, agility was the only physical fitness component related to fluid intelligence, and this relationship was found exclusively in overweight/obese schoolchildren.

Prevalence of responders of a school intervention at physical fitness and mental health of children: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract Aim: to verify the effect of a physical education program at school on physical fitness and mental health in children and to determine the individual prevalence of responders. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study, developed with 67 children aged between 6 and 11 years old. (8.09 ± 1.81). A 21-week intervention was performed, that intervention condition (IC) consisted of sports and circuit training, and nutritional education. For the control condition (CC) classes followed to the Common Curricular National Base. The following variables were evaluated at baseline and post-intervention: physical fitness and mental health through the strength and difficulties questionnaire. Mixed analysis of variance and the prevalence of responders were used for statistical analysis. Results: The main results indicate that there were improvements in the IC in the components of physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, speed, and agility) and mental health indicators (total difficulties, emotional symptoms, problems with peers, and prosocial behavior) after a school physical education program in comparison with the CC. Concerning the prevalence of responders between groups, it was found differences in cardiorespiratory fitness (CC: 33.33%; IC: 65.38%), agility (CC: 36.66%; IC: 73.07%), speed (CC: 43.33%; IC: 79.16%), emotional symptoms (CC: 28.57%; IC: 50.00%), and prosocial behavior (CC: 17.14%; IC: 46.87%). Conclusion: It is reinforced that well-planned physical education classes and simple intervention programs can be adopted at the school level and are capable of promoting children's physical and mental health.

Physical fitness and its association with cognitive performance in Chilean schoolchildren: The Cogni-Action Project.

This study aimed to establish the association and differences in a diversity of cognitive domains according to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular fitness (MF), and speed-agility fitness (S-AF) level in a large sample of Chilean schoolchildren. 1171 Chilean schoolchildren aged 10-14 years participated. CRF, MF, and S-AF were assessed through the ALPHA-fitness test battery. Cognition was evaluated through the NeuroCognitive Performance Test, which involved eight tests related to four main domains: cognitive flexibility (CF), working memory (WM), inhibitory control (IC), and intelligence (IN). Both global (multivariate) and individual (univariate) analyses were performed to determine the differences in cognitive functioning according to low-, middle-, and high-fitness level. The global analyses showed a significant main effect for CRF, F(16,940)  = 3.08, p ≤ .001 and MF groups, F(16,953)  = 2.30, p = .002, but not for S-AF, F(16,948)  = 1.37, p = .105. CRF shows a significant main effect in seven of eight tests, involving CF, WM, IC, and IN domains, whereas MF shows a significant main effect in five of eight tests without association with IN. SA-F shows a significant main effect only with IC. Statistical differences were found between the low- and middle/high-fitness groups but not between the middle- and high-fitness groups. At a global level, both CRF and MF seem to be associated with a higher cognitive profile in scholars; however, at an individual level, all fitness components show a favorable relationship to some cognitive domine. Then, future cognitive developing strategies should consider all fitness components, prioritizing those low-fitness schoolchildren.

Role of nutritional status and physical activity in the relationship between sleep quality and cardiometabolic profile of children.

OBJECTIVE: To verify if there is an association between sleep quality and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) score of children and the role of nutritional status and physical activity (PA) levels in this relationship. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross- sectional study, with 83 schoolchildren, aged 6 and 11 years, from Porto Alegre, Brazil. PA was assessed with accelerometer and nutritional status through body mass index. Total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and insulin were collected to calculate CMRF score. Parents' perception of their children's sleep was evaluated through a question. Generalized linear models were used. RESULTS: Poor sleep quality was positively associated with CMRF (ß=0.48; CI 95%=0.23;0.73) in relation to those with good sleep quality. A positive association was found in overweight children with poor sleep quality (ß=0.52; CI 95%=0.17;0.86), as well as in inactive children with poor sleep quality (ß=0.58; CI 95%=0.14;1.02) with CMRF. CONCLUSION: Poor sleep quality integrated with overweight and physical inactivity influences on CMRF of children.

Child's body mass index and mother's obesity: the moderating role of physical fitness.

The aim of this study was to verify the association between children's body mass index and their mother's obesity, considering children's physical fitness as a possible moderator. Cross-sectional study developed with 1842 children and adolescents, aged seven to 17 years, from Santa Cruz do Sul-RS, Brazil. Body weight and height were assessed to determine body mass index. Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by the 6-min walk/run test and muscular strength through the lower limb strength test. Mother's perception of obesity was self-assessed. Moderation was tested through a SPSS program extension. Results indicated that higher children's body mass index (p < 0.001) and lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (p = 0.001) and muscular strength (p = 0.035) were associated with mother's obesity. Likewise, higher body mass index (p < 0.001) and lower cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.001) in adolescents were associated with maternal obesity. Moreover, physical fitness moderates the relationship between body mass index and mother's obesity in children (cardiorespiratory fitness: ß = - 0.006; 95% CI = (- 0.010, - 0.001); muscular strength: ß = - 8.415; 95% CI = (- 12.526, - 4.304)) and in adolescents (cardiorespiratory fitness: ß = - 0.004; 95% CI = (- 0.008, - 0.0008); muscular strength: ß - 2.958; 95% CI = (- 5.615, - 0.030)).Conclusion: increasing physical fitness is an important strategy to protect youths from high body mass index, when their mothers are obese. What is Known: • Mother's obesity is associated with their children's body mass index. • Parents' obesity is associated with their children's physical fitness What is New: • Cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength are moderators in the relationship between mother's obesity and BMI of their children. • Children and adolescents with high cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength levels are protected against elevated body mass index, considering mother's obesity.

Associação dos hábitos alimentares e da aptidão cardiorrespiratória com o estado nutricional de escolares / Association of eating habits and cardiorespiratory fitness with the nutritional status of students

RESUMO O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se há associação independente e combinada dos hábitos alimentares e da aptidão cardiorrespiratória com o estado nutricional de escolares. Trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal, com 171 crianças (86 meninos e 85 meninas) com idade de seis a 12 anos, de uma escola pública de Porto Alegre-RS. Os hábitos alimentares foram avaliados com o Inquérito de Frequência Alimentar. A aptidão cardiorrespiratória foi avaliada pelo teste de corrida/caminhada de 6 minutos. O índice de massa corporal e aptidão cardiorrespiratória foram avaliados seguindo os protocolos propostos pelo PROESP-BR. Para análise dos dados utilizou-se estatística descritiva, modelos de regressão linear generalizada e anova de duas vias. Um maior consumo de frutas (β:-1,24; IC:-2,42 -0,06) e um menor consumo de doces (β:-1,56; IC:-2,797 -0,34) estão associados a um menor valor médio de IMC. Ainda, crianças com níveis adequados de APCR apresentaram valores inferiores de índice de massa corporal (β:- 3,11; IC:-3,93 -2,29). Quando avaliados de forma combinada, os hábitos alimentares e aptidão cardiorrespiratória exerceram maior influência sobre os valores de índice de massa corporal. Portanto, hábitos alimentares adequados e níveis satisfatórios de APCR estão associados a um adequado estado nutricional.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to verify whether there is an independent and combined association of eating habits and cardiorespiratory fitness with the nutritional status of schoolchildren. This is a cross-sectional study with 171 children (86 boys and 85 girls) aged six to 12 years, from a public school in Porto Alegre - RS. Eating habits were assessed using the Food Frequency Survey. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by the 6-minute running / walking test. The body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness were evaluated following the protocols proposed by PROESP-BR. For data analysis, descriptive statistics, generalized linear regression models and two-way anova were used. Higher consumption of fruits (β: -1.24; CI: -2.42 -0.06) and lower consumption of sweets (β: -1.56; CI: -2.797 -0.34) are associated with lower mean BMI value. Still, children with adequate levels of APCR had lower values ​​of body mass index (β: - 3.11; CI: -3.93 -2.29). When evaluated in a combined manner, eating habits and cardiorespiratory fitness had a greater influence on body mass index values. Therefore, adequate eating habits and satisfactory levels of CRP are associated with an adequate nutritional status.

Association between eating habits, body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cardiometabolic risk factors in children / Associação entre os hábitos alimentares, índice de massa corporal, aptidão cardiorrespiratória e fatores de risco cardiometabólico em crianças

ABSTRACT Objective To verify the multivariate relationships between eating habits, cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index, and cardiometabolic risk factors in children. Methods This is a cross-sectional study developed in a public elementary school with 60 first- to sixth-graders. Their eating habits were assessed using the Food Frequency Survey, weight, height, and cardiorespiratory fitness, assessed according to the Projeto Esporte Brasil protocol. Moreover, the variables, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein, adiponectin, leptin, diastolic and systolic blood pressure were evaluated. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis and generalized estimation equations were used for the analysis of direct and indirect relations, in a multivariate analysis model with several simultaneous outcomes. Results It appears that the eating habits and cardiorespiratory fitness explain 20% of the body mass index. Cardiometabolic risk factors are explained by the relationship between eating habits, cardiorespiratory fitness, and body mass index, according to the following percentages: 29% (systolic blood pressure), 18% (diastolic blood pressure), 63% (leptin), 4% (adiponectin), 14% (C-reactive protein), 17% (insulin), 10% (high-density lipoprotein), 1% (low-density lipoprotein), 4% (glucose). It is also observed that the effects of the eating habits on cardiometabolic risk factors are indirect, that is, they are dependent on changes in the body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness levels. Conclusions The relationship between eating habits and cardiometabolic risk factors in children is dependent on cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index. Thus, our findings suggest a multivariate relationship between these factors.

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar as relações multivariadas entre hábitos alimentares, aptidão cardiorrespiratória, índice de massa corporal e fatores de risco cardiometabólico em crianças. Métodos Trata-se de um estudo de corte transversal, desenvolvido com 60 crianças em uma escola pública, de ensino fundamental. Os hábitos alimentares foram avaliados por meio do Inquérito de Frequência Alimentar, peso, estatura e aptidão cardiorrespiratória, avaliados de acordo com o protocolo do Projeto Esporte Brasil. Ainda, foram avaliadas as variáveis lipoproteína de alta densidade, lipoproteína de baixa densidade, glicose, insulina, proteína C-reativa, adiponectina, leptina, pressão arterial diastólica e sistólica. Para a análise de dados, utilizou-se estatística descritiva e, para a análise das relações diretas e indiretas, equações de estimativa generalizadas, em uma modelagem de análise multivariada com diversos desfechos simultâneos. Resultados Verifica-se que os hábitos alimentares e a aptidão cardiorrespiratória explicam o índice de massa corporal em 20%. Os fatores de risco cardiometabólico são explicados pelas relações entre hábitos alimentares, aptidão cardiorrespiratória e índice de massa corporal, de acordo com os seguintes percentuais: 29% (pressão arterial sistólica), 18% (pressão arterial diastólica), 63% (leptina), 4% (adiponectina), 14% (proteína C-reativa), 17% (insulina), 10% (lipoproteína de alta densidade), 1% (lipoproteína de baixa densidade), 4% (glicose). Ainda, observa-se que os efeitos dos hábitos alimentares nos fatores de risco cardiometabólico são indiretos, isso é, são dependentes das alterações no índice de massa corporal e nos níveis aptidão cardiorrespiratória. Conclusão A relação entre os hábitos alimentares e os fatores de risco cardiometabólico em crianças é dependente da aptidão cardiorrespiratória e do índice de massa corporal, de forma que os achados deste estudo sugerem uma relação multivariada entre esses fatores.

Neighborhood environmental factors associated with leisure walking in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE To verify the associations of leisure walking with perceived and objective measures of neighborhood environmental factors stratified by gender and socioeconomic status (SES) in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS Cross-sectional study with a random sample of 1,130 high school students (47.3% girls; aged 14 to 20 years old) from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Leisure walking and SES were self-reported by the adolescents. Perceived environmental factors were assessed through Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth (NEWS-Y). Objective measures were evaluated using Geographic Information Systems, with road network calculated around the adolescent's residential address, using 0.5km and 1.0km buffers. Data collection was carried out in 2017 and generalized linear regression models were used. RESULTS Leisure walking was positively associated with access to services (0.5 km buffers [Odds ratio (OR) = 2.22] 1.0 km buffers [OR = 2.17]) and lower distance to parks and squares (0.5 km [OR=2.80] 1.0 km [OR = 2.73]) in girls from low SES. Residential density (0.5 km [OR = 1.57] 1.0 km [OR = 1.54]) and walkability index (0.5 km [OR = 1.17] 1.0 km [OR = 1.20]) were associated with leisure walking in girls from middle SES. Boys from low SES showed an inverse association between crime safety and leisure walking (0.5 km [OR = 0.59] 1.0 km [OR = 0.63]). Neighborhood recreation facilities was positively associated with leisure walking in middle SES (0.5 km [OR = 1.55] 1.0 km [OR = 1.60]). Land use mix (0.5 km [OR = 1.81] 1.0 km [OR = 1.81]), neighborhood recreation facilities (0.5 km [OR = 2.32] 1.0 km [OR = 2.28]) and places for walking (0.5 km [OR=2.07] 1.0 km [OR=2.22]) were positively associated with leisure walking in high SES. CONCLUSION Environmental factors (objectively and subjectively measured) and leisure walking show association in boys and girls of different SES.

Neighborhood environmental factors associated with leisure walking in adolescents

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To verify the associations of leisure walking with perceived and objective measures of neighborhood environmental factors stratified by gender and socioeconomic status (SES) in Brazilian adolescents. METHODS Cross-sectional study with a random sample of 1,130 high school students (47.3% girls; aged 14 to 20 years old) from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Leisure walking and SES were self-reported by the adolescents. Perceived environmental factors were assessed through Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale for Youth (NEWS-Y). Objective measures were evaluated using Geographic Information Systems, with road network calculated around the adolescent's residential address, using 0.5km and 1.0km buffers. Data collection was carried out in 2017 and generalized linear regression models were used. RESULTS Leisure walking was positively associated with access to services (0.5 km buffers [Odds ratio (OR) = 2.22] 1.0 km buffers [OR = 2.17]) and lower distance to parks and squares (0.5 km [OR=2.80] 1.0 km [OR = 2.73]) in girls from low SES. Residential density (0.5 km [OR = 1.57] 1.0 km [OR = 1.54]) and walkability index (0.5 km [OR = 1.17] 1.0 km [OR = 1.20]) were associated with leisure walking in girls from middle SES. Boys from low SES showed an inverse association between crime safety and leisure walking (0.5 km [OR = 0.59] 1.0 km [OR = 0.63]). Neighborhood recreation facilities was positively associated with leisure walking in middle SES (0.5 km [OR = 1.55] 1.0 km [OR = 1.60]). Land use mix (0.5 km [OR = 1.81] 1.0 km [OR = 1.81]), neighborhood recreation facilities (0.5 km [OR = 2.32] 1.0 km [OR = 2.28]) and places for walking (0.5 km [OR=2.07] 1.0 km [OR=2.22]) were positively associated with leisure walking in high SES. CONCLUSION Environmental factors (objectively and subjectively measured) and leisure walking show association in boys and girls of different SES.

The role of body fat in the relationship of cardiorespiratory fitness with cardiovascular risk factors in Brazilian children

To analyze the association between the percentage of body fat and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with cardiovascular risk factors in children, and; to examine whether percentage of body fat acts as a mediator on the association between CRF and cardiovascular risk factor. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 128 children aged 7-11 years (Mean 8.54, SD: 1.42). The following variables were evaluated: the percentage of body fat, CRF, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol. For statistical analysis were performed Partial correlation and mediation analysis. All analysis was adjusted for sex, age and height. Results: CRF, the percentage of body fat, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and TG showed a correlation between each other. Percentage of body fat mediated the association between CRF and MAP (Indirect Effect= -0.008; IC: -0.0159 -0.0030), explaining 29% of this association. However, it was found that the percentage of body fat was not a mediator of the association between CRF and TG. Conclusion: The percentage of body fat mediates the association between CRF and MAP. Our findings show that the importance of a healthy body composition for the prevention of high blood pressure levels in childhood as well as the relevance of physical activity on these parameters.(AU)