RELATION OF PERCENTAGE OF BODY-FAT AND MAXIMAL AEROBIC CAPACITY TO RISK-FACTORS FOR ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND DIABETES IN BLACK-AND-WHITE 7-YEAR-OLD TO 11-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

Objective: To determine whether body fatness, aerobic capacity, and fa t distribution are associated with levels of cardiovascular risk facto rs in children. Methods: Subjects (N = 57) were 7 to 11 years of age; their percentage of body fat ranged from 10% to 58%. The percentage of fat was measured with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, maximal aerob ic capacity was measured on a treadmill, fat distribution was expresse d as the waist/hip circumference ratio, and blood pressures were measu red with an automated monitor. Measurements of several lipoproteins an d apoproteins were combined into one atherogenic index. Results: The p ercentage of fat was related to the atherogenic index (rho = 0.38; p > 0.01) and insulin level (rho = 0.78; p >0.001). Aerobic capacity was i nversely related to the atherogenic index (rho = -0.27; p >0.05) and i nsulin level (rho = -0.72; p>0.001), The waist/hip ratio was not relat ed to the risk factors, and blood pressures were not related to fatnes s or aerobic capacity. In multiple regression analyses, only fatness e xplained significant independent proportions of the variance in the at herogenic index and insulin level. After control for fatness, the blac k children had higher insulin levels (p >0.05). Conclusion: At early a ges (7- to 11-year-old children), fatness was related to risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.