Metabolic syndrome and physical activity measured by pedometer among adolescents.

AIM: To describe the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and to study the association of physical activity measured by pedometer with the metabolic syndrome components, in a sample of overweight and obese adolescents from Sfax City. METHODS: This study concerned 51 obese and overweight adolescents (28 girls and 23 boys), between the ages of 15 and 18 years, recruited by the unit of obesity and metabolic syndrome department of endocrinology, Hedi Chaker Hospital, University of Sfax, between december 2012 and october 2013. Metabolic syndrome was defined with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Physical activity was monitored with pedometer (Digi-Walker SW-200; Yamax Co, Tokyo, Japan). RESULTS: The frequency of metabolic syndrome was 21.6%. It was significantly higher in obese (25%) than in overweight (15,81%) adolescents (p=0.04). The most common component, associated with abdominal obesity, was hypoHDLemia observed in 58.8 % of the sample. The average steps / day measured by pedometer was significantly higher in subjects without metabolic syndrome than with (9648, 25±2297, 726 vs 7365, 91±1505, 65 steps/day; p=0, 03). Pedometer determined steps/day was inversely correlated with waist circumference (P<0.05), blood pressure (P<0.05) and triglycerides (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome is prevalent in our young population. A more physically active lifestyle appears to be associated with lower probability of metabolic syndrome.

The Reliability and Concurrent Validity of a Modified Version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (IPAQ-A) in Tunisian Overweight and Obese Youths.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the reliability and validity of an Arabic version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (IPAQ-A) modified for use in Tunisia among overweight and obese adolescents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-one voluntary healthy, overweight or obese adolescents (15-18 years old) participated in the study. Physical activity (PA) indicators derived from the modified self-administered IPAQ-A were compared with pedometer-recorded data of step counts. The test-retest reliability of the IPAQ-A was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Kappa tests between the response of participants in the two interviews. Validity was assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient between the scores of the IPAQ-A and the step count pedometer. RESULTS: ICC revealed that the reliability of IPAQ-A values was high and ranged from 0.73 to 0.95. IPAQ-A scores were also significantly related to pedometer step counts (r = 0.66, p < 0.001). Strong relationships were observed between pedometer step count data and the IPAQ-A data for vigorous PA (r = 0.57, p < 0.001) and walking (r = 0.61, p < 0.001). However, a weaker relationship for moderate PA was observed (r = 0.24, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The modified version of the IPAQ-A questionnaire demonstrated an acceptable reliability and validity when used to assess the levels and patterns of PA in overweight or obese Tunisian adolescents.

The effects of an exercise training program on body composition and aerobic capacity parameters in Tunisian obese children.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of children obesity is rising alarmingly in both developed and developing countries. Developing effective exercise programs is a strategy for decreasing this prevalence and limiting obesity-associated long-term comorbidities. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a 16-week training program; in addition to the school physical education and without dietary intervention; could have beneficial effects on body composition and aerobic capacity of obese children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight obese children (16 boys, 12 girls; aged 12-14 years) were enrolled and were divided into either the exercise group (EG, n = 14) or the control group (CG, n = 14). EG participated in a 16-week aerobic exercises (four 60-min sessions per week at 70-85% of HRmax (maximum heart rate)), in addition to the school physical education. Fat-Free Mass (FFM) and Fat Mass (FM) were assessed with bioelectrical impedance equipment. To assess aerobic capacity, maximal metabolic equivalent of task (METmax) and maximal workload (Wmax) were estimated with an electronically braked cycle ergometer (type Ergoline 500(®)). RESULTS: At baseline, there were no differences between the two groups. After the training program, only the EG showed significant reduction in BMI (body mass index) and waist circumference compared with the baseline values (P < 0.001). Exercise training significantly decreased FM only in the EG. A significant increase in FFM was seen in both groups; more marked in the EG. There was a significant increase in METmax (P < 0.05) and Wmax (P = 0.02) in the EG, and no significant changes in these parameters were seen in the CG. HRmax significantly decreased only in the EG (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This training program has beneficial effects on body composition and aerobic capacity parameters in obese children. Our intervention has the advantage of providing a sustainable and reproducible school and community approach for the management of children obesity.