Longitudinal associations of physical activity and sedentary time with cardiometabolic risk factors in children

Abstract

Background There are few prospective studies on the associations of changes in objectively measured vigorous physical activity (VPA∆), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA∆), light physical activity (LPA∆), and sedentary time (ST∆) with changes in cardiometabolic risk factors (∆) in children. We therefore investigated these relationships among children. Methods The participants were a population sample of 258 children aged 6–8 years followed for 2 years. We assessed PA and ST by a combined heart rate and movement sensor; computed continuous age- and sex-adjusted z-scores for waist circumference, blood pressure, and fasting insulin, glucose, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol; and constructed a cardiometabolic risk score (CRS) of these risk factors. Data were analysed using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, the explanatory and outcome variables at baseline, and puberty. Results VPA∆ associated inversely with CRS∆ (β=-0.209, p=0.001), body fat percentage (BF%)∆ (β=-0.244, p=0.001), insulin∆ (β=-0.220, p=0.001), and triglycerides∆ (β=-0.164, p=0.012) and directly with HDL cholesterol∆ (β=0.159, p=0.023). MVPA∆ associated inversely with CRS∆ (β=-0.178, p=0.012), BF%∆ (β=-0.298, p=<0.001), and insulin∆ (β=-0.213, p=0.006) and directly with HDL cholesterol∆ (β=0.184, p=0.022). LPA∆ only associated negatively with CRS∆ (β=-0.163, p=0.032). ST∆ associated directly with CRS∆ (β=0.218, p=0.003), BF%∆ (β=0.212, p=0.016), and insulin∆ (β=0.159, p=0.049). Conclusions Increased VPA and MVPA and decreased ST were associated with reduced overall cardiometabolic risk and major individual risk factors. Change in LPA had weaker associations with changes in these cardiometabolic risk factors. Our findings suggest that increasing at least moderate-intensity PA and decreasing ST decrease cardiometabolic risk in children.

Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Activity, and Insulin Resistance in Children

“…However, weight status has been found to be a more important correlate of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR than 20 metre endurance shuttle run test performance (43). Consistent with this observation, our results together with others (21,23,40,41) suggest that body fat content is a stronger determinant of insulin resistance than CRF in children.…”

“…Low CRF and adiposity are relatively stable correlates of insulin resistance, whereas low levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and high levels of sedentary time are more modifiable risk factors for insulin resistance in children (6,23,24). A sedentary lifestyle has been found to impair insulin signalling, increase insulin resistance, reduce skeletal muscle glucose uptake, and thereby increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in adults (24).…”

“…Higher levels of PA and lower levels of sedentary time have been related to lower cardiometabolic risk in children (6,23,44). The results of randomised controlled trials also suggest that exercise training has beneficial effects on insulin resistance especially in overweight and obese youth (45).…”

Longitudinal changes in moderate‐to‐vigorous‐intensity physical activity in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Based on the review inclusion criteria and data availability, 521 studies were further excluded. Thus, 52 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the quantitative analysis representing a total sample of 22,091 children and adolescents (Figure ; PRISMA flow diagram). A subset of 31 studies with exactly 1 year of follow‐up data were included in the meta‐analysis.…”

A 2 year physical activity and dietary intervention attenuates the increase in insulin resistance in a general population of children: the PANIC study

“…The measures of physical activity and sedentary time, reflecting the goals of the intervention, including average daily total physical activity energy expenditure, light, moderate and vigorous physical activity and total sedentary time, were assessed using individually calibrated combined heart rate and body movement monitoring [ 25 ]. The methods used for the assessment of physical activity and sedentary time [ 26 – 29 ] are explained in detail in ESM Methods .…”