Physical Activity, Energy Intake, Sedentary Behavior, and Adiposity in Youth

Janet E. Fulton, Shifan Dai, Lyn M. Steffen, Jo Anne Grunbaum, Syed M. Shah, Darwin R. Labarthe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

81 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: It is unclear to what extent factors affecting energy balance contribute to the development of body fatness in youth. The objective of the current study was to describe the relationship of physical activity, energy intake, and sedentary behavior to BMI, fat free-mass index (FFMI), and fat mass index (FMI) in children aged 10-18 years. Methods: In the subsample studied, participants were 245 girls and 227 boys (aged ≥10 years at entry or during follow-up assessments, or aged 11-14 years at entry) followed for 4 years from entry at ages 8, 11, or 14 years. At baseline and anniversary examinations, trained interviewers used a questionnaire to assess time spent daily in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary behavior, and energy intake (kcal/day). Sexual maturation was assessed by direct observation of pubic-hair development (Tanner Stages 1-5). Triplicate recordings of height and weight were used to estimate BMI by the standard formula (kg/m2); bioelectric impedance was used to estimate percent body fat for calculating FFMI and FMI (kg/m2). Multilevel models were used to examine the association of MVPA, energy intake, and sedentary behavior with BMI, FFMI, and FMI. Data were analyzed in 2007-2008. Results: Energy intake was unrelated to FMI or FFMI in models adjusted for age or sexual maturation or in any model to BMI. Sedentary behavior was unrelated to FMI in any model or to FFMI or BMI in models adjusted for age or sexual maturation. MVPA was inversely related to FMI. Conclusions: In children aged 10-18 years, MVPA was inversely associated with fat mass and with BMI. Investigations in youth of dietary intake and physical activity, including interventions to prevent or reverse overweight as represented by BMI, should address its fat and lean components and not BMI alone.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)S40-S49
JournalAmerican journal of preventive medicine
Volume37
Issue number1 SUPPL.
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2009

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors acknowledge with gratitude the contribution of time and dedication of each Project HeartBeat! participant and family. The cooperation of the Conroe Independent School District and the generous support of The Woodlands Corporation are deeply appreciated. The Woodlands and Conroe Advisory Committees have assisted greatly in the planning and conduct of this study. We thank Prof. James M. Tanner for helpful advice on the design of the study while he was Visiting Professor at the School of Public Health. The authors also acknowledge the essential contributions of the Project HeartBeat! co-investigators to the design and implementation of this study, including Drs. Nancy Ayers, John T. Bricker, John Kirkland, Claudia Kozinetz, Daniel Oshman, Alexander Roche, and William J. Schull. Senior staff of the project for data management and field center management were Tony Arrey and Marilyn Morrissey, and Candace Ayars and Pamela Folsom, respectively. Dr. Millicent Higgins served as Scientific Program Administrator for the project under Cooperative Agreement U01-HL-41166, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, which provided major funding for the project. Support from the CDC, through the Southwest Center for Prevention Research (U48/CCU609653), and that of Compaq Computer Corporation, is also gratefully acknowledged, as is the University of Texas at Houston, Health Science Center, School of Public Health.

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