Ectopic fat deposition in children and adolescents: Effects of weight status and lifestyle intervention in combination with high-intensity interval training
Author
Madsen, Jonas Gelardi
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-05-31
Pages
68
Abstract
Background: Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents are linked to accumulation of ectopic fat in organs such as the liver and pancreas and in muscle, increasing the risk of metabolic complications. Aims: to compare ectopic fat and physical activity between normal weight and overweight/obese youth and to test whether adding high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to a family-based lifestyle program (TCOCT) further reduces ectopic fat and alters activity levels. Methods: The project comprised two parts. In a cross-sectional study, ectopic fat in the liver, pancreas, psoas muscle, fat around internal organs (visceral) and under the skin (subcutaneous) was quantified by MRI, daily activity was measured with accelerometers over 7 days, and cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) was assessed. In a 12-week intervention, participants followed either TCOCT alone or TCOCT plus HIIT (short, intense intervals three times per week), with the same measurements at baseline and post-intervention. Results: Youth with obesity had higher ectopic fat in the liver, pancreas and psoas, and more visceral and subcutaneous fat than normal weight peers, along with lower fitness and less time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). More time in MVPA was associated with lower ectopic fat. Over 12 weeks, BMI z-score and ectopic fat in the liver, pancreas and visceral fat decreased in both intervention groups, but adding HIIT provided no additional benefit and did not change overall activity levels. Conclusion: Ectopic fat is elevated in children and adolescents with obesity. A family-based lifestyle program can reduce ectopic fat, but adding HIIT did not confer extra gains; spending more time in MVPA appears beneficial.
Baggrund: Overvægt og fedme blandt børn og unge er forbundet med ophobning af ektopisk fedt i organer som lever og pancreas samt i muskler, hvilket øger risikoen for metaboliske komplikationer. Formål: at sammenligne ektopisk fedt og fysisk aktivitetsniveau mellem normalvægtige og overvægtige børn og unge og at undersøge, om tilføjelse af højintensiv intervaltræning (HIIT) til et familiecentreret livsstilsforløb (TCOCT) yderligere reducerer ektopisk fedt og ændrer aktivitetsniveau. Metoder: Studiet bestod af to dele. I et tværsnitsstudie blev ektopisk fedt i lever, pancreas, psoas, fedt omkring organerne (visceralt) og under huden (subkutant) kvantificeret med MR-scanning, daglig fysisk aktivitet blev målt med accelerometre over 7 dage, og kondition (VO2peak) blev testet. I et 12-ugers interventionsstudie fulgte børn og unge enten TCOCT alene eller TCOCT kombineret med HIIT (korte, intensive intervaller tre gange ugentligt), med samme målinger ved baseline og efter forløbet. Resultater: Overvægtige havde højere mængder ektopisk fedt i lever, pancreas, psoas samt mere visceralt og subkutant fedt end normalvægtige og lavere kondition og mindre tid i moderat til høj intensitet (MVPA). Mere tid i MVPA var forbundet med mindre ektopisk fedt. Efter 12 uger faldt BMI z-score og ektopisk fedt i lever, pancreas og visceralt fedt i begge interventionsgrupper, men tilføjelse af HIIT gav ingen ekstra effekt og ændrede ikke det samlede aktivitetsniveau. Konklusion: Ektopisk fedt er forhøjet ved overvægt hos børn og unge. Et familiecentreret livsstilsforløb kan reducere ektopisk fedt, men HIIT som tillæg gav ingen yderligere gevinst; mere tid i MVPA ser ud til at være gavnligt.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]