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. 2017 Jun 8;3(3):249-257.
doi: 10.1002/osp4.114. eCollection 2017 Sep.

Cross-sectional and prospective associations between physical activity, body mass index and waist circumference in children and adolescents

K E Dalene  1 , S A Anderssen  1 , L B Andersen  1   2 , J Steene-Johannessen  1 , U Ekelund  1 , B H Hansen  1 , E Kolle  1
Affiliations

Cross-sectional and prospective associations between physical activity, body mass index and waist circumference in children and adolescents

K E Dalene et al. Obes Sci Pract. .

Abstract

Objective: To study the cross-sectional and prospective associations between physical activity (PA) of different intensities, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in children and adolescents using isotemporal substitution modelling.

Methods: Physical activity (accelerometry), BMI and WC were assessed in 6- (n = 970), 9- (n = 2,423) and 15-year-olds (n = 1,544) in 2005/2006 and 2011/2012. Participants aged 9 years in 2005/2006 were followed prospectively to 2011/12 (age 15). Associations between PA of different intensities (light, moderate and vigorous), BMI and WC were examined using isotemporal substitution models.

Results: Substituting 10 min per day of sedentary time with light PA was associated with higher WC (0.17 to 0.29 cm, p ≤ 0.003)) in all age groups. Substituting 10 min per day of sedentary time with moderate PA was associated with lower WC in 6- and 9-year-olds (-0.32 to -0.47 cm, p ≤ 0.013)). Substituting 10 min per day of sedentary time with vigorous PA was associated with lower WC in 9- and 15-year-olds (-1.08 to -1.79 cm, p ≤ 0.015)). Associations were similar with BMI as the outcome. In prospective analyses, substituting sedentary time with light, moderate or vigorous PA at age 9 was not associated with BMI or WC at age 15.

Conclusion: Substituting sedentary time with moderate PA appears favourably associated with adiposity in children, whereas vigorous PA may be required in adolescents. Cross-sectional associations were not replicated in prospective analyses.

Keywords: Accelerometer; body mass index; physical activitysedentary timewaist circumference.

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