| Abstrakt: |
Recent studies suggested that obesity, an inflammatory disorder, is associated with elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which could be involved in the pathogenesis of a therosclerosis. Limited studies done in western countries suggested an association between CRP levels and functional capacity, also termed as physical fitness level. However, these studies employed non-laboratory measure of functional capacity or did not account for possible confounders like smoking. Therefore, this study sorts to determine, in the first instance, if obese male adolescents have increased risk of cardiovascular diseases as indicated by sub-clinical inflammation CRP levels, as compared to normal-weight male adolescents, and secondly, if a relationship exists between functional capacity, measured by an objective laboratory exercise test, and the inflammatory marker, CRP, of male adolescents in Singapore. This study involved 19 normal-weight and 21 obese male adolescents of Asian descent, aged between 14-18 years. Fasting serum CRP and blood lipids profile (Total cholesterol, High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL), Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL) and Triglyceride), sub-maximal cardiovascular fitness (Predicted Work Capacity at heart rate 170 bpm, PWC170) and body composition assessments (Skin-fold measurements and Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, DEXA) were determined. Statistically significant differences in CRP level, lipid profiles and functional capacity between obese and normal-weight adolescents were observed. Obese adolescents exhibited higher levels of CRP, despite normal levels of LDL, as compared to normal-weight adolescents, which may suggest a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease. There is a significant in verse correlation between CRP level and functional capacity in the obese individuals (evaluated by body weight: r= -0.600, p<0.01; evaluated by fat free mass: r= -0.556, p<0.01) but not in the normal-weight subgroup. Improved functional capacity maybe a useful therapeutic option in lowering CRP level for the obese individuals, hence reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. However, further studies are needed to investigate the role that adiposity may have, and the contribution of other probable factors influencing this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
