Associations Between Handgrip Strength and Markers of Insulin Resistance and Inflammation in Childhood and Adolescence: A Systematic Review With Meta‐Analysis

Background: Research on the association between changes in handgrip strength (HGS) and risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases in children and adolescents may help clarify the inverse association between HGS and morbidity/mortality. Objective: This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between HGS and markers of insulin resistance and inflammation in children and adolescents. Methods: transformed correlation coefficients and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Fifteen studies (12 cross-sectional, two cross-sectional and longitudinal, and one longitudinal) were included in the systematic review, of which 11 studies were also included in the meta-analyses for cross-sectional correlation. Relative (per body mass) but not absolute HGS was significantly associated (very low evidence) with markers of insulin resistance. Relative HGS was also significantly associated (very low evidence) with most of the inflammatory markers investigated. The three longitudinal studies included had insufficient information to perform a meta-analysis. Conclusions: The results from cross-sectional studies indicated the association (very low evidence) between HGS and several markers of insulin resistance and inflammation existed when studies utilized the relative HGS per body mass. However, no significant relationship was found when studies used absolute HGS. Furthermore, as longitudinal studies were limited, future longitudinal follow-up studies are an important means of resolving these issues.