Sedentary behaviors, physical activity behaviors, and body fat in 6-year-old children: the Generation R Study

• Published in: The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 96
• Main Authors: Wijtzes, Anne I, Bouthoorn, Selma H, Jansen, Wilma, Franco, Oscar H, Hofman, Albert, Jaddoe, Vincent WV, Raat, Hein
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central 15-08-2014; BioMed Central Ltd
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; active transport; Adipose Tissue; Analysis; Body fat; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Care and treatment; Child; Child Behavior; childhood obesity; children; Children & youth; Childrens television; Complications and side effects; computers; Cross-Sectional Studies; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; Female; Health aspects; Health Behavior; Humans; lifestyle; linear models; Male; Medical research; Motor Activity; Netherlands; Obesity; Patient outcomes; Pediatric Obesity - epidemiology; physical activity; public health; questionnaires; regression analysis; Risk Factors; Sedentary Behavior; Socioeconomic Factors; sports; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Television; Television and children; Type 2 diabetes; Video Games; Netherlands
• ISSN: 1479-5868; 1479-5868
• DOI: 10.1186/s12966-014-0096-x

BACKGROUND: Childhood overweight and obesity is a major public health concern. Knowledge on modifiable risk factors is needed to design effective intervention programs. This study aimed to assess associations of children’s sedentary behaviors (television viewing and computer game use) and physical activity behaviors (sports participation, outdoor play, and active transport to/from school) with three indicators of body fat, i.e., percent fat mass, body mass index (BMI) standard deviation scores, and weight status (normal weight, overweight). METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 5913 6-year-old ethnically diverse children were analyzed. Children’s weight and height were objectively measured and converted to BMI. Weight status was defined according to age- and sex-specific cut-off points of the International Obesity Task Force. BMI standard deviation scores were created, based on Dutch reference growth curves. Fat mass was measured my dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Sedentary and physical activity behaviors were assessed by parent-reported questionnaires. Series of logistic and linear regression analyses were performed, controlling for confounders (i.e., socio-demographic factors, family lifestyle factors, and other sedentary behaviors and physical activity behaviors). RESULTS: Sports participation was inversely associated with fat mass (p < 0.001), even after adjustment for socio-demographic factors, family lifestyle factors, and other sedentary behaviors and physical activity behaviors. No other independent associations were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that sports participation is inversely associated with percent body fat among ethnically diverse 6-year-old children. More research in varied populations including objective measurements and longitudinal designs are needed to confirm these current results.