Total energy expenditure and physical activity in young Scottish children: mixed longitudinal study

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) Vol. 363; no. 9404; pp. 211 - 212
• Main Authors: Reilly, JJ, Jackson, DM, Montgomery, C, Kelly, LA, Slater, C, Grant, S, Paton, JY
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 17-01-2004; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Age Factors; Child Behavior - physiology; Child Development - physiology; Child, Preschool; Children & youth; Energy Metabolism - physiology; Female; Humans; Life Style; Light intensity; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Motor Activity - physiology; Obesity; Obesity - epidemiology; Obesity - prevention & control; Physical fitness; Scotland; United Kingdom - epidemiology; United Kingdom > UK; Scotland
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)15331-7

Childhood obesity has been attributed to a decline in total energy expenditure (TEE). We measured TEE, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour in a representative sample of young children from Glasgow, UK, at age 3 years (n=78), and we did a follow-up study at age 5 years (n=72). Mean physical activity level (TEE/resting energy expenditure) was 1·56 (SD 0·39) at age 3 years and 1·61 (0·22) at age 5 years. Median time in sedentary behaviour was 79% of monitored hours at age 3 years (IQR 74–84) and 76% (71–80) at age 5 years. Median time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity represented only 2% of monitored hours at age 3 years (IQR1–4) and 4% at age 5 years (2–6). Modern British children establish a sedentary lifestyle at an early age.