Fitness, Fatness and C-Reactive Protein

The prevalence of obesity in young adults is increasing, while physical activity and fitness levels are decreasing. Both obesity and low fitness/physical activity are associated with increased levels of hs-CRP. Since, young people may not present with high levels of traditional risk factors (e.g. total blood cholesterol, LDL), the identification of at risk young individuals can be difficult. The development of the high sensitivity- CRP assay may help to better predict future risk in young individuals. It is currently unknown if hs-CRP is increased in physically fit/ physically active young people who have increased body fat percentage, or if high cardiorespiratory fitness and high physical activity levels will overpower any effect of adiposity on hs-CRP. The aim of this investigation was to examine hs-CRP in college aged individuals with high or low percent body fat matched for physical fitness and physical activity.