Researcher(s)
- Zenas Okero, Nutritional Science, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Shannon Robson, Health Behavior and Nutrition Science, University of Delaware
Abstract
Vascular Function in Children Who Meet and Don’t Meet Recommendations for Physical Activity and Fruit and Vegetable Intake
Zenas Okero, Adriana Verdzeoto Alvarado, PhD, MS, Shannon Robson, PhD, MPH, RD
Abstract:
Background: According to the Bogalusa Heart Study, major adult cardiovascular diseases begin in childhood. Understanding factors that can maintain cardiovascular health in children are important to identify. Physical activity (PA) and fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption are two behaviors that have been shown to have cardioprotective effects on vascular function in adults. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine if vascular function differs between children who meet and do not meet recommendations for PA and FV intake.
Methods: This is a secondary analysis of children enrolled in a randomized controlled trial examining the role of family meal frequency on cardiovascular health. Children with 3-day dietary records, at least four days of ActiGraph wear time, and at least one measure of vascular function (Pulse Wave Velocity [PWV] or Flow Mediated Dilation [FMD]) at baseline were included. Means and frequencies were used to describe demographics. Independent t-tests were used to examine differences in vascular function between children meeting PA or FV intake recommendations versus those who were not.
Results: Children included in this analysis (n=27) had a mean age of 9.2 ± 1.8 years, were consuming 0.9 ± 0.8 cup-equivalents of fruits per day and 0.5 ± 0.4 cup-equivalents of vegetables per day. They also engaged in a mean of 162.5 ± 48.2 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous PA per day. Percent change FMD was 6.7% ± 3.2% and mean PWV was 3.7m s-1 ± 0.6m s-1. Measures of vascular function were not significantly different between children meeting PA recommendations or FV recommendations.
Conclusion: Given children were generally healthy upon enrollment, differences in vascular functioning may not be apparent in healthy, 6-12 year olds despite meeting or not meeting PA or FV recommendations.