Association Between Birth Weight, Physical Activity, Sedentary Time And Body Fat In 11-13-year-old Hispanic Children

Abstract

Birth weight and gestational age are early life factors linked to health characteristics during childhood and adolescence, such as obesity, physical activity (PA), sedentary time (ST). It has been suggested that birth weight is not as important as PA in the prediction of childhood obesity. However, these associations have been inconsistent across different studies, and suggestions of potential population specific differences have been proposed. PURPOSE: To describe and compare birth weight, gestational age, percent body fat (% fat), PA, and ST in a group of 11-13-year-old Hispanic children in Puerto Rico; and evaluate associations between these variables. METHODS: Ninety-six children (boys=55, girls=41) volunteered to complete anthropometric measurements (height, sitting height, weight, % fat, and arm and waist circumferences), accelerometer-based PA and ST, and a nutrition and quality of life questionnaire. Also, parents completed a sociodemographic and family health questionnaire that included the children’s birth weight and gestational age. Independent t-test and correlation analyses were conducted to detect sex differences, and determine associations between variables. RESULTS: Mean birth weight (7.0±1.4 lbs) and gestational age (37.5±3.8 weeks) were not different between sex (P>0.05), and fell within the normal range for growth standard. However, compared with boys, girls had higher % fat (17.2±1.0 vs. 28.0±1.1 %, P<0.0001), lower moderate to vigorous PA (264.2±22.7 vs. 132.6±14.9 min/week, P<0.0001), and higher ST (9.9±0.2 vs. 10.9±0.3 hrs/day, P=0.001). No association between gestational age, % fat, PA and ST was observed. Those with higher birth weight had higher ST (rho=0.22, P=0.04), but PA and % fat were not associated with birth weight. Those with higher PA and lower ST had lower % fat (rho= -0.34, P=0.001; rho=0.24, P=0.02; respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary observations suggest that body fatness is not influenced by birth weight (a biological factor) but by PA and ST (behavioral factors) in our Hispanic youth participants. Supported by UPRRP/DEGI and Puerto Rico Health Department.