Moderate-vigorous physical activity across body mass index in females: moderating effect of endocannabinoids and temperament.

Fernando Fernández-Aranda, Sarah Sauchelli, Antoni Pastor, Marcela L Gonzalez, Rafael de la Torre, Roser Granero, Susana Jiménez-Murcia, Rosa Baños, Cristina Botella, Jose M Fernández-Real, Jose C Fernández-García, Gema Frühbeck, Javier Gómez-Ambrosi, Roser Rodríguez, Francisco J Tinahones, Jon Arcelus, Ana B Fagundo, Zaida Agüera, Jordi Miró, Felipe F Casanueva

Journal: PloS one 2015;9(8):e104534

PMID: 25101961

Free Full Text on Public Library of Science View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Endocannabinoids and temperament traits have been linked to both physical activity and body mass index (BMI) however no study has explored how these factors interact in females. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to 1) examine differences among distinct BMI groups on daytime physical activity and time spent in moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), temperament traits and plasma endocannabinoid concentrations; and 2) explore the association and interaction between MVPA, temperament, endocannabinoids and BMI.

METHODS

Physical activity was measured with the wrist-worn accelerometer Actiwatch AW7, in a sample of 189 female participants (43 morbid obese, 30 obese, and 116 healthy-weight controls). The Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised questionnaire was used to assess personality traits. BMI was calculated by bioelectrical impedance analysis via the TANITA digital scale. Blood analyses were conducted to measure levels of endocannabinoids and endocannabinoid-related compounds. Path-analysis was performed to examine the association between predictive variables and MVPA.

RESULTS

Obese groups showed lower MVPA and dysfunctional temperament traits compared to healthy-weight controls. Plasma concentrations of 2-arachidonoylglyceryl (2-AG) were greater in obese groups. Path-analysis identified a direct effect between greater MVPA and low BMI (b = -0.13, p = .039) and high MVPA levels were associated with elevated anandamide (AEA) levels (b = 0.16, p = .049) and N-oleylethanolamide (OEA) levels (b = 0.22, p = .004), as well as high Novelty seeking (b = 0.18, p<.001) and low Harm avoidance (b = -0.16, p<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Obese individuals showed a distinct temperament profile and circulating endocannabinoids compared to controls. Temperament and endocannabinoids may act as moderators of the low MVPA in obesity.

Address: Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain.; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Human Pharmacology and Clinical Neurosciences Research Group, Neuroscience Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain.; Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain.; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Human Pharmacology and Clinical Neurosciences Research Group, Neuroscience Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain; Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Departament de Psicobiologia i Metodologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Psychological, Personality, Evaluation and Treatment of the University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Basic Psychology, Clinic and Psychobiology of the University Jaume I, Castelló, Spain.; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Girona (IdlBGi) Hospital Dr Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain.; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de Victoria, Málaga, Spain.; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.; Eating Disorders Service, Glenfield University Hospital, Leicester, United Kingdom.; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bellvitge-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.; Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.; CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Endocrinology Division, Santiago de Compostela University, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104534

Link outs

Free resources

Full Text Sources:

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/obesity.html

Other Literature Sources:

https://scite.ai/reports/25101961

MeSH Terms: Adult, Body Mass Index, Endocannabinoids, Female, Humans, Middle Aged, Motor Activity, Obesity, Temperament