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Katanic B, Aleksic Veljkovic A, Radakovic R, Stojiljkovic N, Olanescu M, Peris M, Suciu A, Popa D. How Does a 12-Week Physical Exercise Program Affect the Motor Proficiency and Cognitive Abilities of Overweight and Normal-Weight Preschool Children? CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:479. [PMID: 38671696 PMCID: PMC11049497 DOI: 10.3390/children11040479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The objective of this research was to examine a 12-week exercise program and its impact on the motor proficiency and cognitive abilities of preschool children with overweight and normal weight. The study involved a total of 71 participants who were preschool children enrolled in a longitudinal study. Body mass index (BMI) was determined by measuring body height and weight, and the nutritional status of the children was assessed using the World Health Organization's (WHO) criteria. Motor proficiency encompasses both motor abilities and motor skills, and the assessment of motor abilities was conducted using subtests from the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2). These subtests measured fine motor integration, manual dexterity, balance, and bilateral coordination. The evaluation of motor skills involved the utilization of the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2), which examines both locomotor skills and manipulative skills. Cognitive abilities were assessed using the School Maturity Test (TZS). All participants, regardless of weight status, took part in a 12-week physical exercise program. According to the World Health Organization's criteria, 52 children (73.2%) were categorized as having a normal weight, while 19 children (26.8%) were classified as overweight. These findings indicate that every fourth child in the study was overweight. Using a statistical analysis called SPANOVA (2 × 2, group × time), differences were observed in three out of eleven variables. Specifically, there were significant differences in two motor skill variables: manipulative skills (p = 0.006) and total movement skills (p = 0.014). Additionally, there was a significant difference in one cognitive ability variable: visual memory (p = 0.010). No significant differences were found in the remaining variables. The findings of this study aimed to contribute to the understanding of the potential benefits of regular exercise on motor and cognitive development in preschool children, specifically examining the differences between overweight and normal-weight children. By investigating these effects, the study could provide valuable insights for educators, parents, and health professionals involved in promoting the overall well-being of preschool-aged children. Regular physical exercise has been found to have positive effects on motor and cognitive abilities in both overweight and normal-weight preschool children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borko Katanic
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Nis, 18000 Nis, Serbia; (B.K.); (A.A.V.); (N.S.)
| | | | - Radivoje Radakovic
- Institute for Information Technologies, University of Kragujevac, Jovana Cvijića bb, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia;
- Faculty of Pedagogy, University of Kragujevac, Trg Svetog Save 36, 31000 Uzice, Serbia
| | - Nenad Stojiljkovic
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Nis, 18000 Nis, Serbia; (B.K.); (A.A.V.); (N.S.)
| | - Mihai Olanescu
- Faculty of Automotive, Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.S.); (D.P.)
| | - Miruna Peris
- Faculty Industrial Engineering, Robotics and Production Management, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Adrian Suciu
- Faculty of Automotive, Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.S.); (D.P.)
| | - Danut Popa
- Faculty of Automotive, Mechatronics and Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, 400641 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (A.S.); (D.P.)
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Costache AD, Ignat BE, Grosu C, Mastaleru A, Abdulan I, Oancea A, Roca M, Leon MM, Badescu MC, Luca S, Jigoranu AR, Chetran A, Mitu O, Costache II, Mitu F. Inflammatory Pathways in Overweight and Obese Persons as a Potential Mechanism for Cognitive Impairment and Earlier Onset Alzeihmer's Dementia in the General Population: A Narrative Review. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3233. [PMID: 38137454 PMCID: PMC10741501 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The overweight status or obesity can be confirmed through classical methods such as the body mass index (BMI) and the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Apart from metabolic issues such as atherosclerosis, liver steatosis, or diabetes mellitus, long-term obesity or overweight status can pose a risk for cardiovascular and neurovascular complications. While some acute adverse events like coronary syndromes of strokes are well-documented to be linked to an increased body mass, there are also chronic processes that, due to their silent onset and evolution, are underdiagnosed and not as thoroughly studied. Through this review, we aimed to collect all relevant data with regard to the long-term impact of obesity on cognitive function in all ages and its correlation with an earlier onset of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The exact mechanisms through which a decline in cognitive functions occurs in overweight or obese persons are still being discussed. A combination of factors has been acknowledged as potential triggers, such as a sedentary lifestyle and stress, as well as a genetic predisposition, for example, the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) alleles in AD. Most research highlights the impact of vascular dysfunction and systemic inflammation on the nervous system in patients with obesity and the subsequent neurological changes. Obesity during the early to mid-ages leads to an earlier onset of cognitive dysfunction in various forms. Also, lifestyle intervention can reverse cognitive dysfunction, especially dieting, to encourage weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandru Dan Costache
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Bogdan Emilian Ignat
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cristina Grosu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alexandra Mastaleru
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Irina Abdulan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Andra Oancea
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Mihai Roca
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Maria Magdalena Leon
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Minerva Codruta Badescu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- “St. Spiridon” Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Stefana Luca
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- “St. Spiridon” Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Alexandru Raul Jigoranu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- “St. Spiridon” Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Adriana Chetran
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- “St. Spiridon” Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ovidiu Mitu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- “St. Spiridon” Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Irina Iuliana Costache
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- “St. Spiridon” Emergency County Hospital, 700111 Iasi, Romania
| | - Florin Mitu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.D.C.); (A.M.); (I.A.); (A.O.); (M.R.); (M.M.L.); (M.C.B.); (S.L.); (A.R.J.); (A.C.); (O.M.); (I.I.C.); (F.M.)
- Clinical Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
- Romanian Academy of Medical Sciences, 927180 Bucharest, Romania
- Romanian Academy of Scientists, 050044 Bucharest, Romania
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Katanic B, Bjelica D, Stankovic M, Milosevic Z, Vukovic J, Mekic A. Anthropometric Characteristics and Weight Status of Early Adolescents (Aged 12-14) in Montenegro; Urban-Rural and Regional Differences. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1664. [PMID: 37892327 PMCID: PMC10605907 DOI: 10.3390/children10101664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine urban-rural and regional differences in anthropometric characteristics among adolescents aged 12-14, as well as to present the prevalence of weight status. A total of 534 adolescents aged 12-14 from primary schools across Montenegro participated in this cross-sectional study (283 boys, aged 13.52 ± 0.42, body height 169.43 ± 8.89, body weight 60.54 ± 13.47; 251 girls, aged 13.51 ± 0.40, body height 165.54 ± 6.67, body weight 55.28 ± 9.27). The sample was divided by geographic region in Montenegro into northern, central, and coastal regions, and according to settlement type into urban and rural inhabitants. Anthropometric characteristics were assessed using a battery of seven variables: arm span (AS); body height (BH); body weight (BW); waist circumference (WC); hip circumference (HC); body mass index (BMI); and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). BMI was categorized based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) cut-offs. The results indicate that girls from urban areas exhibited significantly greater body height and lower BMI values compared to their rural counterparts. Similarly, boys from urban areas also demonstrated lower BMI values compared to their rural peers. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in other anthropometric characteristics between these two groups of adolescents. Based on analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc analysis, it was found that girls from central areas had significantly greater body height compared to those from northern and coastal areas. Likewise, boys from northern areas showed higher body mass and BMI values compared to those from central areas. Additionally, both boys and girls from central areas had higher values compared to those from coastal areas. Nevertheless, no significant differences were detected in other anthropometric characteristics among adolescents from these regions. This study identified significant differences in anthropometric parameters among participants based on urban-rural status and within regional divisions. However, further research encompassing a larger sub-sample and a broader array of anthropometric variables is needed to draw a more comprehensive conclusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borko Katanic
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Nis, 18000 Nis, Serbia;
| | - Dusko Bjelica
- Faculty for Sports and Physical Education, University of Montenegro, 81400 Niksic, Montenegro;
| | - Mima Stankovic
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Nis, 18000 Nis, Serbia;
| | - Zoran Milosevic
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.M.); (J.V.)
| | - Jovan Vukovic
- Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; (Z.M.); (J.V.)
| | - Amel Mekic
- Faculty of Sports and Physical Education, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina;
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