The association of telomere length with body mass index and immunological factors differs according to physical activity practice among children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to verify the relationship between screen and sleep time, body mass index (BMI) and immunological factors with telomere length according to leisure-time physical activity (PA) in children and adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving a sample of 476 schoolchildren of both sexes, aged seven to 17 years, from a community in southern Brazil. Behavioral variables (PA, sleep time, and screen time) were self-reported using a questionnaire. PA was classified as inactive and any PA (doing some physical activity). The associations of screen time, sleep time, BMI, and immunologic factors with telomere length were tested using multiple linear regression models, with the sample divided according to the schoolchildren's leisure-time physical activity practices. RESULTS: An inverse association between BMI and telomere length (ß: -0.239; 95% CI: -0.468; -0.010) and a direct association of leukocytes (ß: 0.151; 95% CI: 0.029; 0.278) and neutrophils (ß: 0.131; 95% CI: 0.008; 0.254) with telomeres were found in the inactive students. No association was found between screen time and sleep time and telomeres. No association was found among students who engaged in any PA. CONCLUSION: The associations between telomeres, BMI, and immunologic factors were found only in inactive students. These results suggest that the association between BMI and immunological factors and telomere length may be influenced by physical activity.

The genetic predisposition increases the chances of schoolchildren maintaining higher adiposity levels after three years.

BACKGROUND: The behavior of anthropometrics and the relationship with genetic factors through a long-term perspective should be better explored. This study aims to verify the odds of maintaining the nutritional status classification after three years, according to the rs9939609 polymorphism (FTO gene). METHODS: It was a retrospective longitudinal study with 355 schoolchildren (7-17 years). Body mass index, body-fat percentage (BF%), and waist circumference (WC) were measured at baseline and follow-up. The FTO gene was evaluated from blood collection and genotyping performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: For those homozygous with the A allele, the odds of being at less favorable classification at follow-up were 2.29 (1.24; 4.22) and 4.05 (2.08; 7.86) times higher than expected for BF% and WC, respectively, whereas the odds of being in the more favorable classification at follow-up were 0.34 (0.12; 0.93) and 0.11 (0.01; 0.78) for BF% and WC, respectively. The odds of being at less favorable classification were higher for AA carriers with less favorable classification at baseline for BF% and WC compared to AT and TT carriers. CONCLUSIONS: Schoolchildren with a genetic predisposition to obesity and unfavorable anthropometric profile at baseline had more chances of maintaining their nutritional status after three years of follow-up.

Association between dietary inflammatory index and cardiometabolic risk factors among Brazilian adolescents: results from a national cross-sectional study.

Dietary factors play a role in modulating chronic inflammation and in the development of CVD. We aimed to investigate the association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and cardiometabolic risk factors among adolescents. A total of 31 684 Brazilian adolescents (aged 12-17 years) from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA) were included. Dietary intake was assessed using a 24-h dietary recall. The energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII) score was calculated based on data for twenty-five available nutrients. The anthropometric profile, blood pressure, lipid profile, glucose, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and glycated Hb were measured. Poisson regression models were used to examine the associations between sex-specific quartiles of the E-DII and cardiometabolic risk factors. In the energy-adjusted models, when comparing a high pro-inflammatory diet (quartile 4) with an anti-inflammatory diet (quartile 1), there was a positive association with high HOMA-IR among boys (prevalence ratios (PR)Q4 = 1·37, 95 % CI: 1·04, 1·79); and with high fasting glucose (PRQ4 = 1·96, 95 % CI: 1·02, 3·78), high TAG (PRQ4 = 1·92, 95 % CI: 1·06, 3·46), low HDL-cholesterol (PRQ4 = 1·16, 95 % CI: 1·02, 1·32) and high LDL-cholesterol (PRQ4 = 1·93, 95 % CI: 1·12, 3·33) among girls. Additionally, a moderately pro-inflammatory diet was positively associated with high HOMA-IR (PRQ2 = 1·14, 95 % CI: 1·02, 1·29) among girls and high total cholesterol (PRQ3 = 1·56, 95 % CI: 1·20, 2·01) among boys. In conclusion, this study provides new evidence on the association between inflammatory diets with cardiometabolic risk factors among adolescents.

What is the role of cardiorespiratory fitness and sedentary behavior in relationship between the genetic predisposition to obesity and cardiometabolic risk score?

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors along with inadequate lifestyle habits are associated with the development of cardiometabolic alterations. Thus, the present study aimed to examine the role of sedentary behavior on the relationship between rs9939609 polymorphism (fat mass and obesity-associated gene-FTO) and cardiometabolic risk score according to cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) levels in children and adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 1215 children and adolescents (692 girls), aged between 6 and 17 years. Screen time as a marker of sedentary behavior was evaluated through a self-reported questionnaire and CRF was estimated using the 6-min walking and running test. The genotyping of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism was performed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Clustered cardiometabolic risk score (cMetS) was calculated by summing z-scores of total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, triglycerides, glucose, systolic blood pressure, and waist circumference, and dividing it by five. Moderation analyses were tested using multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: The coefficient of the interaction term of FTO (rs9939609) and screen time indicated that screen time was a significant moderator on the relationship between FTO rs9939609 polymorphism and cMetS (p = 0.047) in children and adolescents classified with low CRF (ß = 0.001; 95% CI = 0.001; 0.002). It was observed a significant association between genotype risk (AA) of FTO polymorphism and cMetS, in participants that spent more than 378 min a day in front of screen-based devices (ß = 0.203; 95% CI = 0.000; 0.405). No interaction term was found for those with high CRF. CONCLUSIONS: High sedentary behavior seems to influence the relationship between genetic predisposition to obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents with low CRF.

Relationship between rs9939609 FTO polymorphism with waist circumference and body fat is moderated by ponderal index at birth in youth.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to analyze whether the relationship between the rs9939609 polymorphism of the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) with nutritional status is moderated by the ponderal index (PI) at birth in children and adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study evaluated 382 schoolchildren aged 6-17 years. Anthropometric variables such as waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF%) were used to assess nutritional status. Weight and height at birth were used for the PI calculation, which was divided into tertiles (lower, middle and upper). To compare the continuous variables between genotypes of the rs9939609 polymorphism, a recessive model (TT/AT vs. AA) and covariance analysis (ANCOVA) were used. RESULTS: The AA genotype of the rs9939609 polymorphism was associated with higher WC in schoolchildren born with lower PI (ß = 4.40; p = .048). However, for BF%, the genotype association was found in the upper PI tertile (ß = 7.35; p = .040). CONCLUSION: The relationship between WC and BF% with rs9939609 polymorphism (FTO) seems to be moderated by PI at birth. This is an important insight, since the data for intrauterine growth, genetic factors and the presence of obesity in children and adolescents are still contradictory.

FTO gene polymorphism and longitudinal changes in nutritional/obesity status in children and adolescents: Schoolchildren's health cohort study.

The fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) has been extensively reported in the literature related to nutritional status, but there has been limited description of the genetic contribution to obesity risk during childhood and adolescence, especially in Latin Americans. This study aims to associate the rs9939609 polymorphism, of the FTO gene, with changes in nutritional status in Brazilian schoolchildren followed for 3 years. A longitudinal study was conducted with 355 schoolchildren, aged 7-15 years in 2011/2012 and subsequently re-evaluated in 2014/2015. Nutritional (obesity) status was classified by identifying those exceeding recommended thresholds for waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage (BF%). The rs9939609 polymorphism was genotyped by a real-time polymerase chain reaction. Relative risk (RR with 95% confidence interval) of obesity status by FTO gene polymorphism was calculated by Poisson regression. The risk group was determined for genotypes with the allele A polymorphism, and regression models were adjusted for age, sex, height, ethnicity, and geographical location. Considering the longitudinal changes in status over the 3-year follow-up, the RR of developing a WC exceeding the threshold recommended (WC >75th age and sex-standardized percentile), or remaining with this condition, was higher in children with AT/AA genotype. For WC, the RR was 1.66 (1.07; 2.58) in crude analysis and 1.17 (1.01; 1.35) following adjustment for age (years), gender, ethnicity, and geographical location. The comparative risk of abdominal obesity, assessed by WHtR (not recommended threshold ≥0.50), was 53% and 8%, respectively, higher in AT/AA compared to TT genotype.Conclusion: This is one of the first longitudinal investigations to show a significant association between the A allele of the rs9939609 polymorphism and individuals with higher than recommended WC and WHtR measures in Brazilian children and adolescents. What is known: • The FTO has an effect on increases in body mass index (BMI) among children and adolescents. • It established the association between FTO and overweight/obesity in Caucasians. What is new: • The presence of the risk allele of rs9939609 (FTO gene) polymorphism is associated with increased abdominal fat in Brazilian schoolchildren. • Was detected an association between FTO gene polymorphism (rs9939609) with WC in follow-up cohort and changes in WC and WHtR follow-up over 3 years, during childhood and adolescence growth.

Physical fitness attenuates the genetic predisposition to obesity in children and adolescents.

Obesity is an important risk factor associated with non-communicable cardiometabolic diseases. Previous studies have indicated that children and adolescents with a predisposed genetic risk for obesity could benefit from an active lifestyle, but there are no studies investigating whether physical fitness moderates the association of genetics and obesity. The aim of this study was to verify the moderating role of physical fitness in the relationship between genetic risk score (GRS) and body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents. This cross-sectional study was carried out with 1471 children and adolescents, aged between 6 and 17 years from Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil. Weight and height were assessed to determine BMI. Physical fitness components (cardiorespiratory fitness [CRF], lower limb strength [LLS], upper limb strength, and abdominal strength) were evaluated. The GRS was based on previously associated obesity single-nucleotide polymorphism rs9939609 (FTO), rs6548238 (TMEM18), and rs16835198 (FNDC5). Moderation analyses were tested using linear regression models, and the interactions were represented by physical fitness components X GRS (categorical variable). All analyses were adjusted for skin color/ethnicity, sex, and sexual maturation. Significant interactions for CRF (P = 0.041), LLS (P = 0.041), and abdominal strength (P = 0.046) X 5 and 6 risk alleles with BMI were found only in adolescents. In addition, there was evidence that fitness components attenuated the high genetic predisposition to high BMI. Physical fitness components are moderators in the relationship between GRS and BMI in adolescents. These findings highlight the need for interventions targeting to improve this aspect, which is an important health indicator in all ages.

The genetic predisposition to obesity has no influence on waist circumference when screen time and sleep duration are adequate in children and adolescents.

The aim of the present study was to verify whether the amount of sleep duration, screen time, and physical activity moderate the relationship between FTO rs9939609 polymorphism and waist circumference (WC) in children and adolescents. This is a cross-sectional study conducted with 1338 children and adolescents, aged between 6 and 17 years. Lifestyle habits were assessed through self-reported questionnaire. WC was measured on the narrowest part of the trunk between the last rib and the iliac crest. FTO rs9939609 polymorphism was genotyped by real time polymerase chain reaction. The PROCESS macro for the SPSS was used for moderation analyses, through multiple linear regression models. Results indicated significant interactions were found between sleep duration and screen time X FTO rs9939609, showing that these lifestyle behaviours are moderators in the relationship between a genetic predisposition for obesity and higher WC. For physical activity, there was no significant interaction. Therefore, sleeping more than 564 min a day (i.e. 9.4 h) and spending no more than 233 min in front of screen may counteract the genetic predisposition to obesity in children and adolescents.Highlights A healthy lifestyle may counteract the genetic predisposition to central obesity;Children and adolescents should sleep more than approximately 9 h (564 min) per day and spend less than approximately 4 h (233 min) per day in front of screens in order to counteract the genetic predisposition to central obesity conferred by the FTO gene variant.It is fundamental to promote actions for the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, including the importance of presenting adequate sleep habits and low screen time for a better cardiometabolic health and reduction of obesity.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Muscular Strength Moderates the Relationship between FNDC5 Polymorphism and Adiposity in Children and Adolescents.

The human locus FNDC5 rs16835198 contributes positively to anthropometric phenotypes in children and adolescents. However, the role of specific components of physical fitness in this relationship is not known. The present study aimed to verify the moderator role of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular strength in the relationship between rs16835198 polymorphism FNDC5 and adiposity in children and adolescents. This cross-sectional study was carried out by genotyping the rs16835198 FNDC5 polymorphism in 1701 children and adolescents (mean age 11.73 ± 2.75 years). Obesity was assessed using waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) z-scores. To evaluate CRF and muscular strength, the 6 min run/walk test and lower limb strength (LLS) were used. Linear regression models were applied, and all analyses were adjusted for age, sex, skin color, living area, and school type. A significant interaction term for CRF (p = 0.038) and LLS (p = 0.040) × rs16835198 FNDC5 with WC was identified. Regarding BMI, a significant interaction term for CRF (p = 0.007) and LLS (p = 0.044) × rs16835198 FNDC5 was observed. Moreover, medium and high CRF and LLS levels protected against higher WC and BMI. In conclusion, adiposity levels of children and adolescents with a genetic predisposition to obesity might be modified by improving CRF and muscular strength.

Influence of FTO (Fat mass and obesity) gene and parental obesity on Brazilian children and adolescents adiposity.

Objectives Evaluate the influence of the genetic variant rs9939609 of the FTO gene on anthropometric characteristics and whether parental obesity is related to children and adolescents being overweight. Methods A total of 2,364 children and adolescents between 6 and 17 years old were genotyped and the lipid profile, plasma glucose level, and anthropometric characteristics were measured to assess adiposity. Results The AA genotype (risk) was associated with higher body mass index (BMI Z-score; p = 0.006), waist circumference (WC; p = 0.001), and triglycerides (p = 0.033). The association of the participants' adiposity characteristics with the parents' BMI and FTO genotypes showed an association of the BMI Z-score when either the mother or father was overweight or obese (p = 0.028 and p = 0.029). In the overweight or obese father/eutrophic mother, we also observe an association of FTO rs9939609 with WC (p = 0.039). The effect of these variables on the risk of obesity was also tested: overweight or obese mother (OR = 1.82, p = 0.041), overweight and obese parents (OR = 3.09, p < 0.0001), and FTO rs9939609 AA genotype (OR = 2.08, p = 0.0004) were associated. With regard to altered WC and high body fat percentage (BF%), either overweight or obese parents (OR = 2.39, p < 0.0001; OR = 1.92, p < 0.002) showed an association. The FTO rs9939609 AA genotype (OR = 1.99, p = 0.0002) was associated with altered WC. Conclusions The results show that parental weight also contributes to obesity and may interact with the FTO genetic make-up.

Biochemical profile, eating habits, and telomere length among Brazilian children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Lifestyle, obesity, and eating habits are emerging as determinants for the instability of telomeres. The increase in childhood and adolescent obesity and the association of biochemical profiles and dietary components with telomere length (TL) makes it an important issue in nutritional research. The aim of the present study was to investigate TL and its association with ethnic background, adiposity, clinical and biochemical parameters, and dietary patterns among Brazilian children and adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study encompassing 981 children and adolescents between 7 and 17 y of age was performed. Dietary intake habits, anthropometry, and clinical data were collected. TL analysis was performed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Children presented significantly longer TL than adolescents (P = 0.046). Participants who self-declared as black, mulatto, or brown (P < 0.001) also showed longer TL than those who were white. Regarding biochemical parameters, individuals with altered glucose levels had shorter TL than normoglycemic participants in the total sample (P = 0.014). Such difference remained statistically significant in adolescents (P = 0.019). Participants who reported eating fruits and vegetables regularly had longer TL than those who did not (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results suggested that both biochemical parameters and the intake of antioxidant-rich food, such as fruits and vegetables, are associated with the stability of telomere biology among young Brazilians.

Metabolic risk in schoolchildren is associated with low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, obesity, and parents' nutritional profile.

OBJECTIVE: Verify the association between metabolic risk profile in students with different levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index, as well as the nutritional status of their parents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study comprising 1.254 schoolchildren aged between seven and 17 years. The metabolic risk profile was calculated by summing the standardized values of high density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins, triglycerides, glucose and systolic blood pressure. The parents' nutritional status was evaluated by self-reported weight and height data, for body mass index calculating. The body mass index of schoolchildren was classified as underweight/normal weight and overweight/obesity. The cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by 9-minute running/walk test, being categorized as fit (good levels) and unfit (low levels). Data were analyzed using prevalence ratio values (PR). RESULTS: The data indicates a higher occurrence of developing metabolic risk in schoolchildren whose mother is obese (PR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.23), and even higher for those whose father and mother are obese (PR: 2, 79, 95% CI: 1.41; 5.51). Students who have low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and overweight/obesity have higher occurrence of presenting metabolic risk profile (PR: 5.25; 95% CI: 3.31; 8.16). CONCLUSION: the occurrence of developing metabolic risk in schoolchildren increase when they have low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and overweight/obesity, and the presence of parental obesity.

Relationship between anthropometric measures and cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been identified as an important risk factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases; however, other factors, combined or not with obesity, can influence cardiovascular risk and should be considered in cardiovascular risk stratification in pediatrics. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between anthropometry measures and cardiovascular risk factors, to investigate the determinants to changes in blood pressure (BP), and to propose a prediction equation to waist circumference (WC) in children and adolescents. METHODS: We evaluated 1,950 children and adolescents, aged 7 to 18 years. Visceral fat was assessed by WC and waist-hip relationship, BP and body mass index (BMI). In a randomly selected subsample of these volunteers (n = 578), total cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides levels were evaluated. RESULTS: WC was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.85; p < 0.001) and BP (SBP r = 0.45 and DBP = 0.37; p < 0.001). Glycaemia and triglycerides showed a weak correlation with WC (r = 0.110; p = 0.008 e r = 0.201; p < 0.001, respectively). Total cholesterol did not correlate with any of the variables. Age, BMI and WC were significant predictors on the regression models for BP (p < 0.001). We propose a WC prediction equation for children and adolescents: boys: y = 17.243 + 0.316 (height in cm); girls: y = 25.197 + 0.256 (height in cm). CONCLUSION: WC is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and presents itself as a risk factor predictor of hypertension in children and adolescents. The WC prediction equation proposed by us should be tested in future studies.

Metabolic risk in schoolchildren is associated with low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, obesity, and parents’ nutritional profile> / Risco metabólico em escolares está associado com baixos níveis de aptidão cardiorrespiratória, obesidade e perfil nutricional dos pais

Abstract Objective Verify the association between metabolic risk profile in students with different levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index, as well as the nutritional status of their parents. Methods A cross-sectional study comprising 1.254 schoolchildren aged between seven and 17 years. The metabolic risk profile was calculated by summing the standardized values of high density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins, triglycerides, glucose and systolic blood pressure. The parents’ nutritional status was evaluated by self-reported weight and height data, for body mass index calculating. The body mass index of schoolchildren was classified as underweight/normal weight and overweight/obesity. The cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by 9-minute running/walk test, being categorized as fit (good levels) and unfit (low levels). Data were analyzed using prevalence ratio values (PR). Results The data indicates a higher occurrence of developing metabolic risk in schoolchildren whose mother is obese (PR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.23), and even higher for those whose father and mother are obese (PR: 2, 79, 95% CI: 1.41; 5.51). Students who have low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and overweight/obesity have higher occurrence of presenting metabolic risk profile (PR: 5.25; 95% CI: 3.31; 8.16). Conclusion the occurrence of developing metabolic risk in schoolchildren increase when they have low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and overweight/obesity, and the presence of parental obesity.

Resumo Objetivo Verificar se há associação entre o perfil de risco metabólico em escolares com diferentes níveis de aptidão cardiorrespiratória e índice de massa corporal, bem como com o perfil nutricional de seus pais. Métodos Estudo transversal constituído por 1.254 escolares com idade entre sete e 17 anos. O perfil de risco metabólico foi calculado por meio da soma dos valores estandardizados de lipoproteína de alta densidade e lipoproteína de baixa densidade, triglicerídeos, glicose e pressão arterial sistólica. O perfil nutricional dos pais foi avaliado pelos dados autorreferidos de peso e estatura, calculando-se posteriormente o índice de massa corporal. O índice de massa corporal do escolar foi classificado em baixo peso/peso normal e sobrepeso/obesidade. A aptidão cardiorrespiratória foi avaliada através do teste de corrida/caminhada de 9 minutos, sendo categorizada em apto (bons níveis) e inapto (baixos níveis). Os dados foram analisados através dos valores de razão de prevalência (RP). Resultados Os dados apontam maior ocorrência de desenvolvimento de risco metabólico em escolares que apresentam mãe com obesidade (RP: 1,50; IC 95%: 1,01; 2,23) e, maior ainda, em escolares que possuem pai e mãe obesos (RP: 2,79; IC 95%: 1,41; 5,51). Escolares que apresentam baixos níveis de aptidão cardiorrespiratória e sobrepeso/obesidade possuem maior ocorrência de perfil metabólico de risco (RP: 5,25; IC 95%: 3,31; 8,16). Conclusões a ocorrência de desenvolvimento de risco metabólico em escolares aumentam quando estes apresentam baixos níveis de aptidão cardiorrespiratória e sobrepeso/obesidade, assim como na presença de obesidade dos pais.

Associação entre medidas antropométricas e fatores de risco cardiovascular em crianças e adolescentes / Relationship between anthropometric measures and cardiovascular risk factors in children and adolescents

FUNDAMENTO: A obesidade tem sido identificada como importante fator de risco no desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares, porém outros fatores exercem influência, combinados ou não à obesidade, e devem ser considerados na estratificação de risco cardiovascular em pediatria. OBJETIVO: Analisar a associação entre medidas antropométricas e fatores de risco cardiovascular, investigar os determinantes para as mudanças da pressão arterial (PA) e propor uma equação de predição para circunferência de cintura (CC) em crianças e adolescentes. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 1.950 crianças e adolescentes, com idade entre 7-18 anos. Foi investigada a gordura visceral pela CC e a relação cintura-quadril, PA e índice de massa corporal (IMC). Em uma subamostra selecionada aleatoriamente desses voluntários (n = 578), foram medidos o colesterol total, a glicemia e os triglicerídeos. RESULTADOS: A CC se correlacionou positivamente com o IMC (r = 0,85; p < 0,001) e a PA (PAS r = 0,45 e PAD = 0,37; p < 0,001). A glicemia e os triglicerídeos apresentaram correlação fraca com a CC (r = 0,110; p = 0,008 e r = 0,201; p < 0,001, respectivamente). O colesterol total não se correlacionou com nenhuma variável. Idade, IMC e CC foram preditores significativos nos modelos de regressão para PA (p < 0,001). Propõe-se uma equação de predição da CC para crianças e adolescentes: meninos: y = 17,243 + 0,316 (altura em cm); meninas: y = 25,197 + 0,256 (altura em cm). CONCLUSÃO: A CC está associada com fatores de risco cardiovascular e apresenta-se como fator preditor de risco para hipertensão em crianças e adolescentes. A equação de predição para CC proposta em nosso estudo deve ser testada em futuros trabalhos.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been identified as an important risk factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases; however, other factors, combined or not with obesity, can influence cardiovascular risk and should be considered in cardiovascular risk stratification in pediatrics. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between anthropometry measures and cardiovascular risk factors, to investigate the determinants to changes in blood pressure (BP), and to propose a prediction equation to waist circumference (WC) in children and adolescents. METHODS: We evaluated 1,950 children and adolescents, aged 7 to 18 years. Visceral fat was assessed by WC and waist-hip relationship, BP and body mass index (BMI). In a randomly selected subsample of these volunteers (n = 578), total cholesterol, glucose and triglycerides levels were evaluated. RESULTS: WC was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.85; p < 0.001) and BP (SBP r = 0.45 and DBP = 0.37; p < 0.001). Glycaemia and triglycerides showed a weak correlation with WC (r = 0.110; p = 0.008 e r = 0.201; p < 0.001, respectively). Total cholesterol did not correlate with any of the variables. Age, BMI and WC were significant predictors on the regression models for BP (p < 0.001). We propose a WC prediction equation for children and adolescents: boys: y = 17.243 + 0.316 (height in cm); girls: y = 25.197 + 0.256 (height in cm). CONCLUSION: WC is associated with cardiovascular risk factors and presents itself as a risk factor predictor of hypertension in children and adolescents. The WC prediction equation proposed by us should be tested in future studies.