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Objective: To investigate whether a 20‐week aerobic and resistance exercise program induces changes in brain current density underlying working memory and inhibitory control in children with overweight/obesity. Methods: A total of 67 children (10.00 ± 1.10 years) were randomized into an exercise or control group. Electroencephalography (EEG)‐based current density (μA/mm2) was estimated using standardized low‐resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) during a working memory task (Delayed non‐matched‐to‐sample task, DNMS) and inhibitory control task (Modified flanker task, MFT). In DNMS, participants had to memorize four stimuli (Pokemons) and then select between two of them, one of which had not been previously shown. In MFT, participants had to indicate whether the centered cow (i.e., target) of five faced the right or left. Results: The exercise group had significantly greater increases in brain activation in comparison with the control group during the encoding phase of DNMS, particularly during retention of second stimuli in temporal and frontal areas (peak t = from 3.4 to 3.8, cluster size [k] = from 11 to 39), during the retention of the third stimuli in frontal areas (peak t = from 3.7 to 3.9, k = from 15 to 26), and during the retention of the fourth stimuli in temporal and occipital areas (peak t = from 2.7 to 4.3, k = from 13 to 101). In MFT, the exercise group presented a lower current density change in the middle frontal gyrus (peak t = −4.1, k = 5). No significant change was observed between groups for behavioral performance (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: A 20‐week exercise program modulates brain activity which might provide a positive influence on working memory and inhibitory control in children with overweight/obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Candidate biomarkers (i.e., brain-derived neurotrophic factor, β-hydroxybutyrate, cathepsin B, kynurenine, fibroblast growth factor 21, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) did not mediate the effects of exercise on brain health outcomes. • The macrophage scavenger receptor type-I (MSR1) is a membrane glycoprotein, never before related to exercise, that is expressed in macrophages and involved in pathological processes such as atherosclerosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and neurological diseases. • Our discovery analysis, a panel of 92 neurology-related proteins, identified a reduction effect of exercise on blood-circulating MRS1. • Exercise-induced changes in MRS1 did not mediate changes in brain health outcomes. Emerging research supports the idea that exercise positively affects neurodevelopment. However, the mechanisms linking exercise with brain health are largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on (a) blood biomarkers selected based on previous evidence (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), cathepsin B (CTSB), kynurenine, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1)); and (b) a panel of 92 neurology-related proteins (discovery analysis). We also investigated whether changes in these biomarkers mediate the effects of exercise on brain health (hippocampal structure and function, cognitive performance, and mental health). We randomized 81 overweight/obese children (10.1 ± 1.1 years, 41% girls) into 2 groups: either 20 weeks of aerobic plus resistance exercise or control. Candidate biomarkers were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for kynurenine, FGF21, and CTSB; colorimetry for β-hydroxybutyrate; and XMap for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. The 92 neurology-related proteins were analyzed by an antibody-based proteomic analysis. Our intervention had no significant effect on candidate biomarkers (all p > 0.05). In the discovery analysis, a reduction in circulating macrophage scavenger receptor type-I was observed (standardized differences between groups = –0.3, p = 0.001). This effect was validated using ELISA methods (standardized difference = –0.3, p = 0.01). None of the biomarkers mediated the effects of exercise on brain health. Our study does not support a chronic effect of exercise on candidate biomarkers. We observed that while chronic exercise reduced the levels of macrophage scavenger receptor type-I, it did not mediate the effects of exercise on brain health. Future studies should explore the implications of this novel biomarker for overall health. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Objective: We investigated the association of anthropometric neonatal data (birth length and birth weight) and breastfeeding practices (exclusive and any breastfeeding) with hippocampal functional connectivity and its academic implication in children with overweight/obesity. Methods: Ninety six children with overweight/obesity aged 8–11 years (10.01 ± 1.14), from the ActiveBrains project were included in this cross‐sectional study. Anthropometric neonatal data were collected from birth records, whereas breastfeeding practices were reported by parents. A 3.0 Tesla Siemens Magnetom Tim Trio system was used to acquire T1‐weighted and resting‐state functional magnetic resonance images. Academic performance was assessed by the Woodcock‐Muñoz standardized test. Hippocampal seed‐based methods with post‐hoc regression analyses were performed. Analyses were considered significant when surpassing Family‐Wise Error corrections. Results: Birth weight showed a positive association with the connectivity between the hippocampus and the pre‐ and postcentral gyri, and the cerebellum. In addition, breastfeeding was negatively associated with the connectivity between the hippocampus and the primary motor cortex and the angular gyrus. Any breastfeeding, in turn, showed a positive association with the connectivity between the hippocampus and the middle temporal gyrus. None of the connectivity outcomes related to early life factors was coupled with better academic abilities (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that birth weight at birth and breastfeeding are associated with hippocampal connectivity in children with overweight/obesity. Despite this, how the results relate to academic performance remains a matter of speculation. Our findings suggest that clinicians should recognize the importance early life factors for potentially avoiding consequences on offspring's brain development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the association between physical activity, sedentary time, and physical fitness with the shapes of subcortical brain structures in children with overweight/obesity. Further, we analyzed whether differences in the shapes of subcortical brain structures were related to intelligence. We hypothesized that those children with higher physical activity levels, lower sedentary time, and better fitness, would show greater expansion of the brain regions analyzed, and these expansions would be associated with higher intelligence. Study Design: 100 children (10.0 ± 1.1 years, 40 girls) were included in the analyses. Physical activity and sedentary time were measured by accelerometry, and physical fitness was evaluated by a fitness battery. Shapes of subcortical brain structures were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Intelligence was measured by the Kaufmann Brief Intelligence test. Results: Physical activity was related to expansion of the right/left pallidum, right/left putamen, and right thalamus (p < 0.05). Higher sedentary time was related to contraction of the left thalamus and right nucleus accumbens (p < 0.05). Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with expansion of the right amygdala (p = 0.022). Greater strength in the upper‐limb was related to expansion of the right/left pallidum and the left nucleus accumbens (p < 0.038), and contraction of the left amygdala (p = 0.030). Better speed‐agility was associated with expansion of the left nucleus accumbens (p = 0.036). Physical activity‐ and fitness‐related expansion of the right pallidum was associated with higher intelligence (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Physical activity, sedentary time, and physical fitness were significantly related to the shapes of subcortical brain structures, which in turn were related to intelligence in children with overweight/obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of childhood obesity continues to increase. Screen time, one of the most documented reasons for the obesogenic environment, enhances childhood obesity, since advertisements for unhealthy food products are still broadcast on channels for children. This is presently one of the main challenges for the government in Spain, since the current laws and obligations are not updated. This study aims to analyze food advertising aimed at children on Spanish television in 2013 and 2018 on children's and general channels to test the effect of laws and obligations over time. In total, we viewed 512 h of the most viewed channels, two children's and two general channels, during the week and on weekends during specific periods of 2013 and 2018. Food advertising was categorized as core, non-core, and other food advertisement (CFA, NCFA, and OFA, respectively) according to the nutritional profile. A total of 2935 adverts were analyzed, 1263 in 2013 and 1672 in 2018. A higher proportion of NCFAs were broadcast on children's channels than in prior years, rising from 52.2% to 69.8% (p < 0.001). Nowadays, the risk of watching NCFAs on children's channels compared to general channels turns out to be higher (Odds ratio > 2.5; p < 0.001), due to exposure to adverts for high-sugar and high-fat foods such as cakes, muffins, cookies, and fried and frozen meals rich in fat. In conclusion, the trends of nutritional profiles in food advertising on television are worsening over time, since the prevalence of NCFAs was higher in 2018 than in 2013. Currently, CFAs are not mainly broadcast on children's channels, confirming high-risk exposure to non-core food advertising by watching them. Thus, food advertising laws and obligations should be adapted to increase compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas numerous studies have investigated the relationship of cardiorespiratory fitness with inhibition and neuroelectric activity, the role of other physical fitness components and physical activity (PA) intensities in this relationship remain unclear, especially in children with obesity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association of physical fitness, PA, and sedentary time with inhibitory control and neuroelectric activity in children. Eighty‐four children (8‐11 years) with overweight or obesity performed the ALPHA battery to assess their physical fitness components (i.e., muscular strength, speed‐agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness). PA and sedentary time were assessed from hip and nondominant wrist‐worn accelerometers. Inhibitory control was evaluated using a flanker task, and expressed as reaction time (RT) and response accuracy. P3 amplitude and latency were recorded using electroencephalography. Higher speed‐agility and cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with shorter RT and larger P3 amplitude on incongruent trials. Higher speed‐agility was associated with shorter RT on congruent trials. Hip‐assessed moderate and moderate‐to‐vigorous PA were associated with longer P3 latency across trials, and vigorous PA with larger P3 amplitude on incongruent trials. Our results provide initial evidence suggesting that not only cardiorespiratory fitness, but also speed‐agility, are associated with inhibitory control and P3 amplitude, whereas no significant associations were observed for muscular strength. The associations between PA (moderate, vigorous and moderate to‐vigorous) and neuroelectric activity were accelerometer location‐dependent. Promoting PA programs that enhance the cardiorespiratory fitness and speed‐agility will contribute to better understanding whether such health improvements benefit inhibitory control in youth with overweight or obesity. Whereas research on physical fitness and neuroelectric activity has mainly focused on cardiorespiratory fitness, this study reveals that other fitness components, such as speed‐agility, but not muscular fitness, also relate to brain function. Physical activity measures also relate to neuroelectric activity; however, this relationship is dependent upon the accelerometer location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of fitness and physical activity with academic achievement in children with overweight/obesity. A total of 106 (10.0 ± 1.1y, 61 boys) children participated. The fitness components were assessed by field and laboratory-based tests. Physical activity was measured via accelerometry. The academic achievement was assessed by a standardised test and school-grades. Field-based cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with language skills (ß-standardised- ranging from 0.281 to 0.365, p < 0.01). The field-based muscular strength was associated with grade point average, natural and social sciences, and foreign language (ß = 0.280–0.326, all p ≤ 0.01). Speed-agility was associated with some language-related skills (ß = 0.325–0.393, all p ≤ 0.01). The laboratory-based muscular strength also showed an association with mathematics skills (ß = 0.251–0.306, all p ≤ 0.01). Physical activity did not show significant association with academic achievement (p > 0.01). Overall, the significant associations observed for muscular strength and speed/agility were attenuated and disappeared in many cases after additional adjustments for body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness, indicating that these associations are inter-dependent. Our study contributes by indicating that other fitness components apart from cardiorespiratory fitness, such as muscular strength and speed-agility, are positively associated with academic achievement. However, these associations appear to be dependent on body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to examine the associations of physical fitness, sedentary time, and physical activity (PA) with working memory and neuroelectric activity in children with overweight/obesity. Seventy‐nine children with overweight/obesity (10.2 ± 1.1 years old) participated in this cross‐sectional study. We assessed physical fitness components (ie, muscular strength, speed agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness) using the ALPHA battery. Sedentary time and PA were assessed by GT3X+accelerometers (ActiGraph). Working memory was assessed using the delayed non‐matched‐to‐sample task; mean reaction time (RT) and response accuracy were registered. Neuroelectric activity (ie, P3 amplitude and latency) was registered using the ActiveTwo System of BioSemi electroencephalogram. Higher upper‐limb absolute strength was associated with lower response accuracy (P = 0.023), while higher lower‐limb relative‐to‐weight strength was associated with larger P3 amplitude (P < 0.05). Higher speed agility and cardiorespiratory fitness levels were associated with shorter mean RT and larger P3 amplitude, and speed agility was also associated with shorter P3 latency (all P < 0.05). Vigorous PA was associated with larger P3 amplitude (P < 0.05). No associations were found for sedentary time or the rest of PA intensities (P ≥ 0.05). In addition to cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and speed agility are also associated with working memory and neuroelectric activity in children with overweight/obesity. The association between PA and working memory is intensity‐dependent, as significant findings were only observed for vigorous PA. Randomized controlled trials in this population would help to better understand whether improvements in different components of fitness and PA lead to better working memory and underlying brain function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the associations of different sedentary behaviors (SB) with gray matter volume and we tested whether SB related to gray matter volume is associated with intelligence. Methods: 99 children with overweight or obesity aged 8–11 years participated in this cross-sectional study. SB was measured using the Youth Activity Profile-Spain questionnaire. T1-weighted images were acquired with a 3.0 T Magnetom Tim Trio system. Intelligence was assessed with the Kaufman Brief Test. Whole-brain voxel-wise multiple regression models were used to test the associations of each SB with gray matter volume. Results: Watching TV was associated with lower gray matter volume in six brain regions (β ranging −0.314 to −0.489 and cluster size 106 to 323 voxels; p < 0.001), playing video games in three brain regions (β ranging −0.391 to −0.359, and cluster size 96 to 461 voxels; p < 0.001) and total sedentary time in two brain regions (β ranging −0.341 to −0.352, and cluster size 897 to 2455 voxels; p < 0.001). No brain regions showed a significant positive association (all p > 0.05). Two brain regions were related, or borderline related, to intelligence. Conclusions: SB could have the potential to negatively influence brain structure and, in turn, intelligence in children with overweight/obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the cognitive control development during childhood and adolescence, and the impact of obesity on brain development. Topics discussed include the prefrontal cortex model of cognitive control development, the connections between brain and behaviour in human beings, and the impact of obesity on insulin resistance.

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the associations of objectively measured and self-reported physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior with white matter microstructure in children with overweight or obesity. Methods: In a sample of 103 participants (age, 10.02 ± 1.15 yr; 42 girls) from the ActiveBrains project, we assessed PA and sedentary behavior using accelerometers (GT3X+; ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL), and the Youth Activity Profile-Spain questionnaire. Objectively measured PA and sedentary behavior were classified into different intensities following the hip- and wrist-based cutoff points for the Euclidean Norm Minus One metric by Hildebrand et al., wrist-based cutoff points for counts metric by Chandler et al., and hip-based cutoff points for counts metric for Romanzini et al. and Evenson et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of white matter microstructure, fractional anisotropy (FA), and mean diffusivity (MD) were derived from diffusion tensor imaging. Linear regression models were used to examine the associations of objectively measured and self-reported PA and sedentary behavior with global and tract-specific FA and MD. Results: Self-reported total PA was positively associated with global FA (β = 0.236, P = 0.038), whereas watching television was negatively associated with global FA (β = −0.270, P = 0.014). In regard to the objective measures, using single regression models, light PA (β = 0.273, P = 0.016), moderate-to-vigorous PA (β = 0.257, P = 0.035), and total PA (β = 0.294, P = 0.013) were positively associated with global FA only when Hildebrand–Euclidean Norm Minus One hip cut points were used for analyses. Lastly, no association was found between PA and sedentary behavior and FA and MD within individual tracts. Conclusions: Our results suggest that PA and watching television are related to white matter microstructure in children with overweight or obesity. However, longitudinal large-scale studies are needed to confirm and expand these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supplemental digital content is available in the text. Purpose: This study aimed to examine the associations of sedentary time, physical activity (PA) and step-related behaviors with neurotrophic growth factors. Methods: A total of 97 children with overweight/obesity age 8 to 11 yr participated in this study. Sedentary time, PA, and steps were measured by GT3X+ accelerometers in hip and nondominant wrist. Estimates of light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were obtained. Steps per daytime, peak 60-, 30-, and 1-min cadence were computed. The time accumulated (min·d−1) in different cadence bands of steps was also computed from hip accelerometer. Plasma levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were determined by the XMap technology (Luminex IS 100/200 system, Luminex Corporation, Austin, TX). Results: Light PA, moderate PA, MVPA, and the peak 60-min cadence were positively related with BDNF concentrations (all P < 0.05), and only light PA to VEGF (P = 0.048). No association was observed for IGF-1 (P > 0.05). The associations of light PA with BDNF and VEGF disappeared (all P > 0.05) after performing analyses with nondominant wrist-placement data. However, moderate PA and MVPA remained significantly associated with BDNF (both P < 0.05). The time accumulated in cadence bands of 40 to 59 steps per day and 60 to 79 steps per day (i.e., walking at slow pace) was positively associated with plasma BDNF (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, PA is positively related to plasma BDNF, whereas no relationship was observed for VEGF or IGF-1. Higher amounts of time spent in slow walking cadence bands could increment BDNF levels. Exercise-based randomized controlled trials in children with overweight/obesity should be carried out to better understand the influence of PA behaviors on the neurotrophic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This is the first study examining inflammation and brain volumes in children. • Inflammation might influence brain health in children with overweight or obesity. • Inflammation may lead to academic failure and behavioural/emotional dysfunctions. • Inflammatory biomarkers could not alter executive function and total brain volumes. Chronic inflammation plays an important role on the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, as well as on brain function and behaviour. The aim of the present study was to examine the associations between inflammatory biomarkers and a wide range of brain health indicators (i.e., academic performance, executive function, behavioural and emotional functioning, and brain volume) in children with overweight/obesity. A total of 107 children (10.0 ± 1.1 years, 41% girls) from the ActiveBrains project were included in the analysis. Five inflammatory biomarkers were analysed in plasma: white blood cell (WBC) count, interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Academic performance was assessed by Woodcock-Muñoz Tests of Achievement. Executive function was assessed through the Design Fluency Test for cognitive flexibility, the Stroop test for cognitive inhibition, and the Delayed Non-Match-to-Sample task for working memory. Behavioural and emotional functioning was evaluated through the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC) questionnaire. Total and regional brain volume was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. IL-6 was inversely associated with adaptive skills (β = −0.228; p = 0.030), while TNF-α was related to mathematics (β = −0.198; p = 0.034). In addition, CRP was positively associated with externalizing (β = 0.246; p = 0.046) and internalizing problems (β = 0.234; p = 0.039), as well as the behavioural symptoms index (β = 0.236; p = 0.047). However, these significant associations disappeared after multiple comparisons correction. Inflammatory biomarkers were not associated with executive function and total brain volumes. Regarding regional brain analyses, WBC was positively associated with gray matter volume in the left middle temporal gyrus (β = 0.387; p < 0.001, k = 44), and CRP was positively associated with gray matter volume in the right superior temporal gyrus (β = 0.439; p < 0.001, k = 29). Additionally, when adjusting by total brain volume, CRP was positively associated with gray matter volume in the right supplementary motor cortex (β = 0.453; p < 0.001, k = 51). Moreover, both, IL-6 (β = 0.366; p < 0.001, k = 81) and TNF-α (β = 0.368; p < 0.001, k = 62) were positively associated with white matter volume around the right inferior frontal gyrus pars opercularis, while CRP was inversely associated with white matter volume around the left superior frontal gyrus (β = -0.482; p < 0.001, k = 82). After adjusting by total brain volume, CRP was also inversely associated with white matter volume in 3 additional clusters (β ranging from −0.473 to −0.404; p < 0.001, k = 87). Inflammation was slightly associated with brain health (i.e., academic performance, behavioural and emotional functioning and regional brain volume) in children with overweight or obesity. Further larger longitudinal and interventional studies are warranted to elucidate the short-term and long-term effect of systemic low-grade inflammation on children's brain health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]