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Cardiometabolic Risk in Adolescents: Associations with Physical Activity, Fitness, and Sleep

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Physical activity and fitness are independently associated with cardiometabolic dysfunction, and short sleep duration is an emerging marker of obesity. Few have examined interrelations among these factors in a comprehensive risk model.

Purpose

Investigate the influence of behavioral and lifestyle risk factors on the metabolic syndrome and inflammation.

Methods

A sample of 367 15–17-year-olds (73 % boys) from ethnic minority groups (45.8 % Hispanic, 30.8 % Black), most with elevated blood pressure (72 %), underwent aerobic fitness testing, blood sampling, and completed behavioral questionnaires.

Results

Structural model results are consistent with the notion that short sleep duration, poor sleep quality and fatigue, and decreased physical activity are associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome and inflammation possibly via effects on reduced cardiorespiratory fitness.

Conclusions

The combination of negative lifestyle and behavioral factors of physical inactivity, sleep loss, and poor fitness has serious implications for cardiovascular health complications in at-risk youth.

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Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL, 33124-0751, USA

    Amanda J. Countryman M.S., Patrice G. Saab Ph.D., Maria M. Llabre Ph.D., Judith R. McCalla Ph.D. & Neil Schneiderman Ph.D.

  2. Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Frank J. Penedo Ph.D.

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  1. Amanda J. Countryman M.S.
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  2. Patrice G. Saab Ph.D.
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  3. Maria M. Llabre Ph.D.
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  6. Neil Schneiderman Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Amanda J. Countryman M.S..

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Countryman, A.J., Saab, P.G., Llabre, M.M. et al. Cardiometabolic Risk in Adolescents: Associations with Physical Activity, Fitness, and Sleep. ann. behav. med. 45, 121–131 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9428-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9428-8

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