Análise do paradigma fitness versus fatness na qualidade de vida: influência da aptidão cardiorrespiratória no impacto do peso na qualidade de vida de adolescentes

Introduction: Analyze the infl uence of cardiorespiratory aptitude (VO 2max ) on the relation between body mass index (BMI) and quality of life (QOL) in adolescents. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised 401 adolescents (BMI = 21.3 ± 3.1 kg·m -2 , 15.0±1.7 years, 222 girls, 179 boys), for which it was gathered data for the Impact of Weight on QoL (IWQOL-K), health related QOL (PedsQL), VO 2max (Luc Leger test), weight and height. Multiple mediation was assessed with multiple linear regressions and oversampling. Results: The BMI was associated with IWQOL-K (r = -0.22, p < 0.001) and VO 2m ax (r = -0.17, p < 0.001). VO 2max was associated with IWQOL-K (r = 0.31, p < 0.001) and PedsQL (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). We expected that VO 2max would mediate the infl uence of BMI on both QOL measures. The model explained 13% of the variance of the IWQOL-K (p < 0.001), suggesting partial mediation. The model for PedsQL explained 6.5% of the variance (p < 0.001), without signifi cance on the total and direct effects, although the indirect effect was signifi cant. Discussion: The VO 2max is suggested to have a stronger infl uence on the association between the BMI and IWQOL-K than with the general measure of QOL. We suggest that this result supports the fi tness versus fatness paradigm. Therefore, in addition to the goal of fat mass reduction, the efforts made to prevent and treat adolescent obesity should look to the development of the cardiorespiratory aptitude, since it may reduce the impact f weight on the QOL of the adolescents.