Associations of Physical Activity and Dietary Fat Quality With Arterial Health in Adolescents

Background While the clinical signs of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are not usually visible until adulthood, the CVD pathology begins already in childhood. Objectives To study the associations of physical activity (PA) and dietary fat quality with arterial health among adolescents. Methods Altogether 117 adolescents 15–17 years of age participated in the study. Sedentary time (ST), light PA, moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA), PA energy expenditure (PAEE), resistance training volume and dietary fat quality were assessed. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and cardio‐ankle vascular index (CAVI) were assessed by impedance cardiography, and carotid artery intima‐media thickness (cIMT) and carotid artery distensibility were assessed by carotid ultrasonography. Results ST was negatively associated with cIMT (standardised regression coefficient β = −0.225, p = 0.015). MVPA and PAEE were negatively associated with PWV ( β = −0.245 to −0.228, p < 0.05) and CAVI ( β = −0.226 to −0.212, p < 0.05), and positively with cIMT ( β = 0.235 to 0.269, p < 0.05). MVPA was positively associated with carotid artery distensibility ( β = 0.180, p = 0.047). Monounsaturated fat intake was positively associated with carotid artery distensibility ( β = 0.190, p = 0.041). PAEE was negatively associated with CAVI in adolescents with higher saturated fat (SFA) intake ( β = −0.367, p = 0.017), but not in adolescents with lower SFA intake ( β = −0.095, p = 0.526). Conclusion MVPA and PAEE were related to better arterial health. Moreover, our results suggest that higher PAEE benefits adolescents with higher SFA intake.