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

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.