D J Stensel1, F P Lin, T F Ho, T C Aw. 1. Department of Physical Education, Sports Science and Recreation Management, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK. D.J.Stensel@lboro.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare blood lipids, lipoproteins, apoproteins, fibrinogen, insulin and aerobic capacity in obese and non-obese Chinese Singaporean boys. To examine relationships between blood metabolites, body composition and aerobic capacity in these groups. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SUBJECTS: Forty Chinese Singaporean boys aged 13-15 y. Classified as obese (n=20) or non-obese (n=20) based on adiposity (fat mass/fat free mass): >0.60=obese, <0.40=non-obese. MEASUREMENTS: Body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), waist circumference, peak oxygen consumption (VO(2) peak), serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol/HDL-C, apoproteins AI and B, lipoprotein(a), insulin and glucose. Plasma concentration of fibrinogen. RESULTS: Obese boys had significantly (P<0.01) higher (mean+/-s.d.) concentrations of serum triacylglycerol (1.51+/-0.65 vs 1.04+/-0.34 mmol/l), serum insulin (24.1+/-11.5 vs 12.3+/-4.45 mU/l) and plasma fibrinogen (4.01+/-0.54 vs 3.35+/-0.76 g/l) than non-obese boys. Within the non-obese group plasma fibrinogen concentration was significantly related to percentage body fat (r=0.546, P<0.05). VO(2) peak relative to body mass (ml/kg/min or ml/kg(-0.67)/min) was significantly (P<0.001) lower in obese compared to non-obese boys but absolute VO(2) peak (l/min), adjusted for fat-free mass via analysis of covariance, was higher in obese than non-obese boys (P<0.01). Partial correlations revealed that none of the blood metabolites were significantly related to VO(2) peak independent of body fatness. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was related to elevated concentrations of serum triacylglycerol, serum insulin and plasma fibrinogen in Chinese Singaporean boys. These elevated concentrations did not appear to be associated with a lower aerobic capacity (independent of body fatness) in the obese.
OBJECTIVES: To compare blood lipids, lipoproteins, apoproteins, fibrinogen, insulin and aerobic capacity in obese and non-obese Chinese Singaporean boys. To examine relationships between blood metabolites, body composition and aerobic capacity in these groups. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SUBJECTS: Forty Chinese Singaporean boys aged 13-15 y. Classified as obese (n=20) or non-obese (n=20) based on adiposity (fat mass/fat free mass): >0.60=obese, <0.40=non-obese. MEASUREMENTS: Body composition (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), waist circumference, peak oxygen consumption (VO(2) peak), serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol/HDL-C, apoproteins AI and B, lipoprotein(a), insulin and glucose. Plasma concentration of fibrinogen. RESULTS:Obeseboys had significantly (P<0.01) higher (mean+/-s.d.) concentrations of serum triacylglycerol (1.51+/-0.65 vs 1.04+/-0.34 mmol/l), serum insulin (24.1+/-11.5 vs 12.3+/-4.45 mU/l) and plasma fibrinogen (4.01+/-0.54 vs 3.35+/-0.76 g/l) than non-obeseboys. Within the non-obese group plasma fibrinogen concentration was significantly related to percentage body fat (r=0.546, P<0.05). VO(2) peak relative to body mass (ml/kg/min or ml/kg(-0.67)/min) was significantly (P<0.001) lower in obese compared to non-obeseboys but absolute VO(2) peak (l/min), adjusted for fat-free mass via analysis of covariance, was higher in obese than non-obeseboys (P<0.01). Partial correlations revealed that none of the blood metabolites were significantly related to VO(2) peak independent of body fatness. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was related to elevated concentrations of serum triacylglycerol, serum insulin and plasma fibrinogen in Chinese Singaporean boys. These elevated concentrations did not appear to be associated with a lower aerobic capacity (independent of body fatness) in the obese.