Physical Activity Level Using Doubly-Labeled Water in Relation to Body Composition and Physical Fitness in Preschoolers

Abstract

Background and objectives: There is a lack of studies investigating associations of physical activity level (PAL) and activity energy expenditure (AEE) using the doubly-labeled water (DLW) method with body composition and physical fitness in young children. Thus, we aimed to examine cross-sectional associations of PAL and AEE with body composition indices and physical fitness components in Swedish preschool children. Materials and methods: PAL was calculated as total energy expenditure measured using DLW divided by the predicted basal metabolic rate in 40 children aged 5.5 (standard deviation 0.2) years. AEE was calculated as total energy expenditure minus basal metabolic rate and the thermic effect of food, and divided by fat-free mass. Body composition was assessed using the 3-component model by combining measurements based on isotope dilution and air-displacement plethysmography. Physical fitness (muscular strength, motor fitness, and cardiorespiratory fitness) was evaluated using the PREFIT test battery. Multiple linear regression models were conducted. Results: PAL and AEE were negatively associated with body mass index, percent body fat, and fat mass index (PAL: standardized β −0.35, −0.41, and −0.45, all p < 0.036; AEE: standardized β −0.44, −0.44, and −0.47, all p < 0.006, respectively). Furthermore, PAL and AEE were positively associated with the standing long jump test (PAL: standardized β 0.37, p = 0.017; AEE: standardized β 0.38, p = 0.014). There were no statistically significant associations found regarding PAL or AEE with fat-free mass index or any other physical fitness test. Conclusions: Greater PAL and AEE at the age 5.5 were significantly associated with body fatness and improved lower-body muscular strength. Therefore, increasing physical activity, and thus energy expenditure, at young ages may be beneficial for preventing overweight/obesity. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm the results.

Association of Individual Motor Abilities and Accelerometer-Derived Physical Activity Measures in Preschool-Aged Children

“…Other studies have shown mixed results regarding associations between PA and different measures of motor abilities. One study found that higher total skills score and locomotor skills score was significantly associated with increased time spent in vigorous PA but not MVPA or TPA (Webster et al, 2019) while others reported significant associations between similar tests of motor abilities and measures of PA (Fang et al, 2017;Leppanen et al, 2018). However, these studies slightly differ from ours; for example, Leppanen et al (2018) derived PA levels from doubly labelled water and Fang et al (2017) and Webster et al, (2019) used composite motor competency scores in their analysis.…”

“…One study found that higher total skills score and locomotor skills score was significantly associated with increased time spent in vigorous PA but not MVPA or TPA (Webster et al, 2019) while others reported significant associations between similar tests of motor abilities and measures of PA (Fang et al, 2017;Leppanen et al, 2018). However, these studies slightly differ from ours; for example, Leppanen et al (2018) derived PA levels from doubly labelled water and Fang et al (2017) and Webster et al, (2019) used composite motor competency scores in their analysis. Even though Leppanen et al (2018) administered two of the tests used in the 16 present analysis (shuttle run and standing long jump), they aimed to measure physical fitness which highlights how inconsistent terminology can further complicate comparisons across studies.…”

Pubertal Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Relation to Late Adolescent Body Fatness in Boys: A 6-Year Follow-Up Study

“…The interrelationships among PA, physical fitness, and various health outcomes are well-established in adults [ 9 , 10 ]. Higher levels of PA and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) are associated with lower body fatness levels in children [ 11 , 12 ] and adolescents [ 5 , 13 ], and have been suggested to decrease the risks associated with obesity and other cardiovascular disease risk factors later in life [ 9 , 14 ]. In addition, it has been demonstrated that higher PA and physical fitness levels are longitudinally associated with lower body fatness levels in children [ 15 , 16 , 17 ] and adolescents [ 13 , 18 ].…”

The Relationship Between Physical Activity, Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Preschool (3-6 Years)

“…Most of the research has shown that tness is a powerful health indicator in children [2,[9][10][11]. In addition, a lot of studies have shown a direct relationship between PA, especially MVPA, and tness [5,8,12].…”

“…In addition, it is also associated with a greater possibility of future diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer [6]. Studies have shown that body composition correlates inversely with PA levels [9].…”