Association between Creativity and Memory with Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Lifestyle among Chilean Schoolchildren

Healthy Lifestyle Related to Executive Functions in Chilean University Students: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

A negative lifestyle is reported to be related to cognitive problems. However, there is little information about this in relation to university students. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between executive functions (EFs) and lifestyle parameters (i.e., physical activity (PA), sleep duration, screen time (ST), and food habits) among Chilean university students.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included a total of 150 university students (94 females and 56 males, aged 21.28 ± 3.15 and 22.18 ± 2.90 years, respectively). Cognitive outcomes were measured using the CogniFit assessment battery. Lifestyle was measured through validated questionnaires.

RESULTS

Across the total sample, attention exhibited a positive association with PA h/week (β: 24.34 95% CI: 12.46 to 36.22, p = 0.001). Additionally, coordination was positively associated with PA h/week (β: 15.06 95% CI: 0.62 to 29.50, p < 0.041). PA h/week was positively linked with reasoning (β: 20.34 95% CI: 4.52 to 36.17, p = 0.012) and perception (β: 13.81 95% CI: 4.14 to 23.49, p = 0.005). Moreover, PA h/week was significantly linked to memory (β: 23.01 95% CI: 7.62 to 38.40, p = 0.004). In terms of the EFs, PA h/week showed a positive association with cognitive flexibility (β: 45.60 95% CI: 23.22 to 67.69, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, lifestyle (PA h/week) was positively associated with EFs. Therefore, an increase in PA levels among these students should be a target for community- and university-based interventions in order to promote cognitive development such as attention, coordination, reasoning, perception, memory, and cognitive flexibility.

Multimodal neuroimaging correlates of physical-cognitive covariation in Chilean adolescents. The Cogni-Action Project

Health-related behaviours have been related to brain structural features. In developing settings, such as Latin America, high social inequality has been inversely associated with several health-related behaviours affecting brain development. Understanding the relationship between health behaviours and brain structure in such settings is particularly important during adolescence when critical habits are acquired and ingrained. In this cross-sectional study, we carry out a multimodal analysis identifying a brain region associated with health-related behaviours (i.e., adiposity, fitness, sleep problems and others) and cognitive/academic performance, independent of socioeconomic status in a large sample of Chilean adolescents. Our findings suggest that the relationship between health behaviours and cognitive/academic performance involves a particular brain phenotype that could play a mediator role. These findings fill a significant gap in the literature, which has largely focused on developed countries and raise the possibility of promoting healthy behaviours in adolescence as a means to influence brain structure and thereby cognitive/academic achievement, independently of socioeconomic factors. By highlighting the potential impact on brain structure and cognitive/academic achievement, policymakers could design interventions that are more effective in reducing health disparities in developing countries.

Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and family characteristics associated with cognitive performance in Italian primary school children: analysis of the I-MOVE project

Working memory (WM) is a multicomponent system that supports cognitive functioning. It has been linked to a wide variety of outcomes including academic success and general well-being. The present study examined the relations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and WM among Italian children, adjusting for important parent characteristics and children's lifestyle habits. Data for this study was obtained from 106 children attending primary school in Imola (Italy) who were part of the I-MOVE study emphasizing school-based physical activity. Children's adherence to the MD was calculated using the KIDMED index (KI) based on the ZOOM-8 questionnaire. Physical activity (PA) levels were assessed using an actigraph accelerometer and WM using the backward digit span test. Univariate regression was used to select significant child-level and family measures associated with WM, which were then tested in a single multivariate regression model. Older age is positively associated with higher WM (β = 0.36; 95% CI 0.25, 0.47). Dietary adherence (KI) (β = 0.07; 95% CI 0.01, 0.14) and engagement in organized PA outside school hours (β = 0.58; 95% CI 0.09, 1.10) are positively related to WM. Among the family measures, father's education was positively associated with WM for high school education and for university vs. middle school or lower, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Adherence to the MD was associated with better WM capacity in primary school children. These findings can be used to guide policymakers in designing health promotion programs and instituting policies emphasizing healthy nutrition to improve physical health and boost cognitive functioning.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• The development of working memory involves the entire childhood with a rapid spurt between 2 and 8 years of age. • Working memory plays a critical role in children's learning and academic performance and underlies higher-order cognitive abilities.

WHAT IS NEW

• Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was associated with higher working memory capacity in primary school children. • Health promotion interventions based on PA and sound nutrition involving children benefit not only physical and mental health, but also cognitive health.

The Mediating Role of the Muscle Quality Index in the Relation of Screen Time and Abdominal Obesity with Health-Related Quality of Life in Chilean Schoolchildren

Screen time (ST) and abdominal obesity have a negative effect on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, there is little information regarding the mediating role of the muscle quality index (MQI) in these relationships. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between HRQoL, physical status (i.e., anthropometrics and fitness), lifestyle (i.e., ST and physical activity), and the MQI, and then to determine the potential mediating role of the MQI in the relation of ST and abdominal obesity with HRQoL in Chilean schoolchildren. The cross-sectional study included 750 schoolchildren (girls, n = 332 and boys, n = 418) aged between 10 and 14 years (11.73 ± 1.08 y). MQI, lifestyle, fitness parameters, waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) and HRQoL were measured. HRQoL presented a significant correlation with WtHR (r: -0.19), VO2_max (r: 0.20), physical activity after school (r: 0.26), ST (r: -0.26) and MQI (r: 0.15). According to MQI, the high-MQI group reported higher HRQoL than the low-MQI group (low MQI: 36.10 ± 3.63 vs. high MQI: 37.43 ± 4.00, p < 0.001). In the mediation model, ST and abdominal obesity were negatively linked to HRQoL; the indirect effect confirmed that MQI is a partial mediator in the relation between ST and HRQoL (indirect effect = -0.04; SE = 0.02; 95% CI: -0.09, -0.01) and in the relation between abdominal obesity and HRQoL (indirect effect = -1.81; SE = 0.83; 95% CI: -3.41, -0.40). In conclusion, MQI is related to better HRQoL in schoolchildren, and the negative relation of ST and abdominal obesity with HRQoL is mediated by MQI.

INFLUENCE OF SEROLOGICAL MARKERS OF BLOOD GROUPS UPON THE DEVELOPMENT OF VISUAL MEMORY IN HIGH SCHOOLERS AND STUDENTS

OBJECTIVE

The aim: To investigate the influence of serological markers of blood groups of the AB0 system upon the development of short-term visual memory in high schoolers and students.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: The research involved 13-16-year-old high schoolers (boys) (n = 139) who were involved in various sports: group A - speed and strength sports (n = 74); group B - endurance sports (n = 65). The control group consisted of 13-16-year-old high schoolers (n = 106) and 17-20-year-old students (n = 212) who were not engaged in sports. The study of short-term visual memory was conducted using the "Memory for geometric shapes" method.

RESULTS

Results: It was found that high schoolers and students with the 0(I) blood group have the best associative coupling with the properties of short-term visual memory.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: The use of serological markers of blood groups according to the AB0 system is possible in the genetic prediction of the development of visual memory in high schoolers and students. Herewith, the associative coupling is more pronounced in juvenility than in adolescence.

Association between nutritional status, physical fitness and executive functions in preadolescents: A person-centered approach

Objective

In the current study, a person-centered approach was adopted to investigate the relationship between nutritional status and physical fitness profiles and executive functions (EF) in preadolescents.

Methods

Participants (M age = 10.8 years; Male = 50.8%) were recruited from two primary schools in Hong Kong. Nutritional status [body mass index (BMI)], physical fitness including cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF, predicted VO2max, multi-stage fitness test) and speed-agility (20-m sprint) were measured on school days. EF performance was measured using the Flanker task (inhibition) and the Sternberg task (working memory).

Results

Data from 120 preadolescents were considered valid. Three distinct profiles were identified by a person-centered approach. Profile 1 was featured by high BMI (21.61 ± 3.38 kg/m2), poor VO2max (33.29 ± 23.96 ml/kg/min), and slow 20-m sprint (4.51 ± 0.13 s). Profile 2 was featured by low BMI (15.99 ± 3.38), fair VO2max (44.98 ± 23.96) and fast 20-m sprint (3.97 ± 0.13). Profile 3 was featured by low BMI (15.63 ± 3.38), poor VO2max (32.37 ± 23.96), and slow 20-m sprint (4.48 ± 0.13). Wald chi-square test revealed preadolescents in profile 1 and profile 2 performed better than profile 3 in accuracy of Flanker task (1 vs. 3: χ 2 = 12.23, P < 0.001; 2 vs. 3: χ 2 = 10.86, P = 0.001). That is, for normal weight preadolescents with poor CRF and speed-agility, those with superior nutritional status performed better in inhibition. For normal weight preadolescents with poor nutritional status, those with superior CRF and speed-agility had better inhibitory capacity.

Conclusion

Compared to the commonly used variable-centered approach, this person-centered approach is a valuable addition that expands the understanding of the association between nutritional status, physical fitness and EF in preadolescents. Results are discussed with regards to maximizing health behaviors and implications for educational policy.

Overweight and executive functions, psychological and behavioral profile of Spanish adolescents

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has risen dramatically increasing a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases and cognitive dysfunctions. This study aimed to analyze differences in the executive function´s development between overweight and normal-weight adolescents. As a secondary objective, we aimed to assess differences in adolescents' psychological and behavioral profiles between groups. In order to achieve the study's aim, 105 adolescent students (17.61 ± 7.43 years) completed an online questionnaire that analyzed variables regarding their executive functions' processes, their psychological and physical health as well as lifestyle habits. Results showed that executive functions development is associated with adolescent weight. A higher range of weight presents a lower ability to assess abstract reasoning and to shift cognitive strategies. Nevertheless, no differences were found between groups in the capacity to hold information in mind nor the ability to control impulsive responses. Furthermore, groups showed differences in the number of meals and gastritis, but no significant differences have been found in lifestyle variables such as mobile usage, smoking, physical activity, and hours of sleep per day. The results from the present study could be used to implement multidisciplinary programs to develop healthier habits.

Negative Physical Self-Concept Is Associated to Low Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Negative Lifestyle and Poor Mental Health in Chilean Schoolchildren

Background: Evidence suggests that physical self-concept (PSC) is linked to well-being in children and adolescents. Objective: The objective was to investigate the association of PSC with mental health (i.e., depression and body image), physical status (i.e., fitness and weight status) and lifestyle (physical activity (PA) patterns and nutritional level) in Chilean schoolchildren. Methods: A total of 617 schoolchildren (n = 271 girls and n = 346 boys) aged 10−14 years participated in this study. Self-concept, depression and body image dissatisfaction were determined by questionnaires. Physical fitness, PA, screen time (ST), Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence and anthropometric parameters were also included. Results: Poor PSC was linked to bad cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) (<42 VO2max) (OR 1.64; 95%CI 1.12−2.34; p = 0.01), severe body image dissatisfaction (OR 2.51, 95%CI 0.99−6.35; p = 0.05), ST of more than two hours a day (OR 2.1; 95%CI 1.41−3.12; p < 0.001), PA after school of no more than two hours per week (OR 1.52; 95%CI 1.08−2.13; p = 0.015) and depression (OR 1.80; 95%CI 1.1−2.92; p = 0.017). High nutritional level showed an association with general PSC and general self-concept (p < 0.05). Absence of body image dissatisfaction was related to general self-concept (p < 0.01) and physical condition dimensions (p < 0.05). Conclusions: PSC is associated with CRF, PA after school, ST and nutritional level. According to mental health variables, poor PSC is related to depression in Chilean schoolchildren. Therefore, promoting a healthy lifestyle among children should be a target of community- and school-based interventions to promote PSC.

Selective Attention and Concentration Are Related to Lifestyle in Chilean Schoolchildren

The objective of this investigation was to determine the association between selective attention and concentration with physical fitness (i.e., cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), V˙O_2max, the standing long jump test (SLJ) and handgrip muscle strength (HGS)), lifestyle parameters (i.e., physical activity (PA) level, screen time (ST), sleep duration and food habits) and anthropometric measures (i.e., body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)) among Chilean schoolchildren. Two hundred and forty-eight schoolchildren (137 boys, 111 girls, 11.80 ± 1.17 and 11.58 ± 1.09 years, respectively) participated. Selective attention, concentration and lifestyle (PA, ST, sleep duration and Mediterranean diet (MD) adherence) were determined using a standard questionnaire. CRF, SLJ, HGS and anthropometric indicators (BMI and WC) were also measured. Selective attention showed a positive association with MD adherence score (β; 5.012, p = p < 0.05). Concentration was linked inversely to ST (β; −5.498, p = p < 0.05). Likewise, concentration presented a positive association with MD adherence (β; 2.904, p = p < 0.05). In conclusion, children’s lifestyles are related to the selective attention and concentration of children; therefore, promoting healthy habits could be a cost-effective strategy in the promotion of cognitive development, as it relates to selective attention and concentration.

Association between the Sociodemographic Characteristics of Parents with Health-Related and Lifestyle Markers of Children in Three Different Spanish-Speaking Countries: An Inter-Continental Study at OECD Country Level

The purpose of this cross-cultural study was to determine the association between the sociodemographic background of a child’s parents (i.e., their socioeconomic level, marital status, and educational level) with the child’s lifestyle (i.e., Mediterranean diet (MD), physical activity (PA) and screen time (ST)), and health markers. Material: This cross-sectional study included 1273 children, from Chile (n = 496), Colombia (n = 340), and Spain (n = 437). The sociodemographic information together with the lifestyle and health markers of the children were measured. There was an inverse association between a low or medium-low socioeconomic level for the parents of Chilean children and handgrip strength (β −0.61, p < 0.001); meanwhile, for Spanish children, an inverse association between a low or medium-low socioeconomic level and PA after school (β −0.58, p = 0.016), lifestyle (β −0.74, p = 0.015), and with MD adherence (β −0.86, p = 0.004) was found. The risk (i.e., by odd ratios (OR)) of being divorced/separated parents marital status showed an inverse association with abdominal obesity (OR 0.21, p = 0.045) in Spanish children; however, the parent’s marital status and a low educational level were risk factors for the suffering of a low nutritional level in Colombian children (OR 2.02, p = 0.048; OR 2.49, p < 0.001, respectively). On the other hand, a low educational level for parents reported for Chilean children had a positive association with ST of ≥4 h per day (OR 1.82, p = 0.020). In conclusion, in Spanish-speaking children, the lifestyle and health markers of the children are affected by the sociodemographic background of their parents; however, these effects could be moderated by the socio-cultural and economic status of their countries as members of the OCDE; therefore, it is essential to develop policies that decrease these gaps, so that children who are under-resourced can reach their full potential.