A Longitudinal Analysis of the Relationships of Physical Activity and Body Fat With Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neural Factor in Children

• Background: Nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neural factor (BDNF) are important for brain function and detectable in the blood. This study explored the longitudinal associations of physical activity and body fat with serum NGF and BDNF in children. Methods: Two waves of measurements were performed 2 years apart in 8- to 11-year-old children, including physical activity using the ActiGraph model 7164, body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and serum NGF and BDNF determined by multiplex immunoassay. The first wave included 248 children. Full information maximum likelihood estimation with robust standard errors was applied in structural equation modeling. Results: Vigorous physical activity showed a direct positive longitudinal relationship with NGF (standardized coefficient beta = 0.30, P = .01) but not with BDNF (beta = 0.04, P = .84). At the same time, body fat percentage was positively related to both NGF (beta = 0.59, P < .001) and BDNF (beta = 0.17, P = .04). There was an indication of an indirect relationship of vigorous physical activity with NGF (product of unstandardized coefficient beta = -0.18, P = .02) and BDNF (beta = -0.07, P = .05) through the negative relationship with body fat percentage (beta = -0.36, P < .001). Conclusions: Vigorous physical activity is directly related to serum NGF and indirectly through the level of body fat. The relationships with serum BDNF are more complex.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Näringslära (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nutrition and Dietetics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Idrottsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Sport and Fitness Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

accelerometer

neurotrophins

serum

dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

structural equation

aged 8-11 years

neurotrophic factor

metabolic syndrome

exercise

serum

accelerometer

adolescents

calibration

activation

platelets

Accelerometer

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

Neurotrophins

Serum

Structural equation modeling

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)