Relationship between Cardiometabolic Risk and Physical Fitness in Young Girls with Aesthetic Professions

Abstract Background: In the literature, professions that impose body standards for daily performance are designated as non-conventional professions (i.e. models, athletes, ballet dancers), with great emphasis on the female population. More than a job, it becomes a lifestyle to those inserted in this environment, thus, thousands of children and adolescents seek the inclusion and success in these professions due to financial and media gains. Such professions are associated to several health-related risk factors. The purpose of this study was to identify whether there is a relationship between physical fitness levels, cardiometabolic health markers, mental health and dietary habits in non-conventional professions. Methods: The sample consisted of 41 female individuals aged between 14 and 24 years, divided in four groups, control group/ university students (UG=11), models (MG=11), ballet dancers (BG=11), and athletes group (AG=8). Physical fitness outcomes (cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, maximal dynamic strength, muscular endurance and body composition); biochemical outcomes (high density lipoprotein [HDL], low density lipoprotein [LDL], total cholesterol [TC], fasting glucose [FG], fasting insulin [FI], C-reactive protein [CRP]), diet quality and mental health were evaluated. Results: No impairments were observed in the health markers evaluated, both for health-related physical fitness and biochemical outcomes. Even with statistically significant differences between the groups for chronological age (p=0.002), menarche (p=0.004), career length (p=0.001), height (p=0.001), body mass index (p=0.018), waist-to-height ratio (p<0.001), %Fat (p=0.020), VO2peak (p=0.020), maximal dynamic strength of knee extensors (p=0.031) and elbow flexors (p=0,001) and flexibility (p<0.001), all these values are within the normal range for health. Conclusion: The professions analyzed do not seem to interfere in the physical and metabolic health of the girls assessed. However, regarding mental health, the evaluated age group was susceptible to depressive symptoms.