Predictive value of physical literacy measures for cardiometabolic risk in adolescents with abdominal obesity: an exploratory study
Journal
Sport Sciences for Health
Date Issued
2026-02-27
Author(s)
Latorre-Román, Pedro
Castillo-Retamal, Marcelo
Reyes-Amigo, Tomás
Hernández-Mosqueira, Claudio
Díaz-Alvarado, Mauricio
Martínez-Salazar, Cristián
Párraga-Montilla, Juan
Gómez-Álvarez, Nicolás
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-026-01691-z
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the predictive value of different measures of physical literacy (PL) on cardio-
metabolic risk in adolescents with abdominal obesity. Method. A cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was con-
ducted with a sample of 51 abdominal obesity male adolescents aged 11–15 years. Cardiometabolic risk was estimated using
the MetS-score, based on anthropometric, biochemical, and blood pressure data. LASSO regression models were applied to
identify the predictive value of PL measures on cardiometabolic risk outcomes. Results. The study findings showed that the
physical dimension of PL has measures that moderately predict (f2=0.17), 14.5% of the variance in cardiometabolic risk
through the MetS-score. In addition, PL measures were selected to explain other components of cardiometabolic risk, with a
large effect on waist circumference and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (f2=3.379; f2=0.771; f2=0.472, respectively).
Conclusion. The results of this study show that the physical dimension of PL can predict MetS-scores in abdominal obesity
adolescents. Furthermore, it was identified that the psychological and cognitive dimensions of PL, although they do not
directly predict the MetS-score, play a relevant protective role in blood pressure and, to a lesser extent, in waist circumference.
metabolic risk in adolescents with abdominal obesity. Method. A cross-sectional, descriptive, and analytical study was con-
ducted with a sample of 51 abdominal obesity male adolescents aged 11–15 years. Cardiometabolic risk was estimated using
the MetS-score, based on anthropometric, biochemical, and blood pressure data. LASSO regression models were applied to
identify the predictive value of PL measures on cardiometabolic risk outcomes. Results. The study findings showed that the
physical dimension of PL has measures that moderately predict (f2=0.17), 14.5% of the variance in cardiometabolic risk
through the MetS-score. In addition, PL measures were selected to explain other components of cardiometabolic risk, with a
large effect on waist circumference and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (f2=3.379; f2=0.771; f2=0.472, respectively).
Conclusion. The results of this study show that the physical dimension of PL can predict MetS-scores in abdominal obesity
adolescents. Furthermore, it was identified that the psychological and cognitive dimensions of PL, although they do not
directly predict the MetS-score, play a relevant protective role in blood pressure and, to a lesser extent, in waist circumference.
Facultad
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