Which intensities, types, and patterns of movement behaviors are most strongly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors among children?

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine which intensities, patterns, and types of 24-h movement behaviors are most strongly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors among children.

Methods: A total of 369 children aged 10-13 years were studied. Participants wore an Actical accelerometer and a Garmin Forerunner 220 Global Positioning System logger and completed an activity and sleep log for 7 days. Data from these instruments were combined to estimate average minute per day spent in 14 intensities, 11 types, and 14 patterns of movement. Body mass index, resting heart rate, and systolic blood pressure values were combined to create a cardiometabolic risk factor score. Partial least squares regression analysis was used to examine associations between the 39 movement behavior characteristics and the cardiometabolic risk factor score. The variable importance in projection (VIP) values were used to determine and rank important movement behavior characteristics. There was evidence of interaction by biological maturity, and the analyses were conducted separately in the 50% least mature and 50% most mature participants.

Results: For the least biologically mature participants, fifteen of the 39 movement behavior characteristics had important VIP value scores; eight of these reflected movement intensities (particularly moderate and vigorous intensities), six reflected movement patterns, and one reflected a movement type. For the most mature participants, thirteen of the 39 movement behavior characteristics had important VIP value scores, with five reflecting intensities (particularly moderate and vigorous intensities), five reflecting patterns, and three reflecting types of movement.

Conclusion: More than 12 movement behavior characteristics were associated with cardiometabolic risk factors within both the most and least mature participants. Movement intensities within the moderate and vigorous intensity ranges were the most consistent correlates of these risk factors.

Keywords: Child; Physical activity; Risk factors; Sedentary behavior; Sleep.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Fifteen movement behavior characteristics with important VIP values for the least mature participants. The 15 characteristics are presented from left to right in order of importance based on a ranking of the VIP values. The “+” and “–” signs on top of each bar indicate the direction of the association. MVPA = moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; PA = physical activity; SED = sedentary; VIP = variables of importance in projection.

Fig. 2

Thirteen movement behavior characteristics with important VIP values for the most mature participants. The 13 characteristics are presented from left to right in order of importance based on a ranking of the VIP values. The “+” and “–” signs on top of each bar indicate the direction of the association. MVPA = moderate-to-vigorous physical activity; PA = physical activity; SED = sedentary; TV = television; VIP = variables of importance in projection.