Longitudinal analysis of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and anthropometric measures from ages 6 to 11 years

Abstract

Background/ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine the effect of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) on body mass index (BMI) and fat mass index (FMI) in children over the course of five years and identify potential bi-directional associations.Subjects/MethodsData were drawn from the EU Childhood Obesity Project (CHOP). PA and SB were measured with the SenseWear Armband 2 at the ages of 6 (T1), 8 (T2) and 11 (T3) years. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated at each time point, resulting in 1254 complete observations from 600 children. Bio impedance analysis was used to measure body fat mass and eventually calculate FMI. To examine the longitudinal association between PA/SB and BMI/FMI as well as to account for repeated measure on these children, mixed model analysis was employed.ResultsHigher levels of total PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were associated with lower BMI and FMI and higher SB with higher BMI and FMI over the five year period. When looking at the age dependent effects, negative associations of MVPA (βMVPA x age: − 0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): − 0.09 – -0.01, p = 0.007) and positive associations of SB (βSB x age: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.02–0.06, p < 0.001) increased with each year of age. In a model combining these two effects, only SB x age interaction remained significant (βSB x age: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.03–0.06, p = 0.01). No significant interaction between MVPA and SB could be discerned. Light Physical activity showed no significant associations with BMI or FMI. When reversing outcome and predictor; higher BMI or FMI showed a negative association with MVPA and a positive association with SB, but no age dependency.ConclusionsMore time per day in SB was associated with a higher BMI over the course of five years, whereas higher MVPA had an inverse effect. In a combined model, only effects of higher SB remained significant, emphasizing the importance of SB in obesity prevention. Present bidirectional associations, where lower body size was associated with higher PA and lower SB, indicated the need for an integrated approach of activity and weight control for obesity prevention.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00338689. Registered: June 19, 2006 (retrospectively registered).Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12966-018-0756-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Relationship of Activity Patterns to Acute Mountain Sickness in South Pole Workers

“…Past studies have validated the SenseWear Pro Armband at high intensity exercise with reasonable concordance from the gold standard technique of energy expenditure measurement, the doubly labeled water method (ICC = 0.80, technical error of measurement 112 kcal/d and ICC = 0.96, technical error of measurement 104 kcal/d, for the cited studies, respectively) [21,22]. Furthermore, these activity monitors were previously used in a small high-altitude study of twelve individuals summiting an unnamed peak in the Karakoram Mountains (6,170m), as well as in children and clinical populations [23][24][25][26]. The SenseWear Pro Armbands were in operating range, as they were in contact with the body and covered from polar conditions.…”

Determinants of Physical Activity and Screen Time Trajectories in 7th to 9th Grade Adolescents—A Longitudinal Study

“…However, only few longitudinal studies among German adolescents are available. Schwarzfischer et al reported the longitudinal development of PA and SB at three time points (2008, 2010, and 2013) and associations with BMI and body fat, however, Germany was only one of five European countries included in this study and the measurement of PA was not the study's main purpose [22]. Braig et al reported associations of PA and ST with self-esteem in 11−13 year old adolescents in a very selective sample in a small city in southern Germany [3].…”

“…Evidence from longitudinal studies shows a decline in physical activity and an increase in sedentary behaviour (SB) from childhood through adolescence [8,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. However, only few longitudinal studies among German adolescents are available.…”

Expert’s Choice: 2018’s Most Exciting Research in the Field of Pediatric Exercise Science

“…The decline and disinterest in physical activity begins early in life and there are no pharmacological treatments for physical inactivity (141,165). School care and health care should focus on the identification and treatment of youth with muscle weakness and should recognize muscle strength as a biomarker of health.…”