The role of physical activity on the improvement of endogenous regulators of atherosclerosis in obese and sedentary children: a comprehensive review of some pre- to anti-atherosclerosis indicators

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease whose first stages can begin in childhood. Obesity is one of the major risk factors for atherosclerosis, which is becoming an epidemic. The increase in prevalence of obesity has focused more attention on the relationship between obesity and atherosclerosis, and although the relationship between obesity and atherosclerosis has been widely reported, its potential mechanisms still need to be further elucidated. Salusins are a new class of bioactive peptides that play an important role as endogenous regulators of atherosclerosis process. Obesity is associated with a chronic inflammatory response characterized by abnormal adipokine production and activation of some pro-inflammatory signaling pathways. Past studies have shown that inflammatory process has a cause and effect relationship with obesity and cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Also, arterial endothelial disorder is an early disorder in process of atherosclerosis, and presence of this disorder in obese children has been widely reported. The most important potential factor that will lead to obesity, inflammatory conditions and endothelial dysfunction is immobility. On the other hand, physical activity has wide health benefits and is considered as an important factor in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, the current research seeks to investigate the role of physical activity in improving endogenous regulators of atherosclerosis in obese and sedentary children.