Abstract
We investigated the associations of different sedentary behaviors (SB) with gray matter volume and we tested whether SB related to gray matter volume is associated with intelligence. Methods: 99 children with overweight or obesity aged 8–11 years participated in this cross-sectional study. SB was measured using the Youth Activity Profile-Spain questionnaire. T1-weighted images were acquired with a 3.0 T Magnetom Tim Trio system. Intelligence was assessed with the Kaufman Brief Test. Whole-brain voxel-wise multiple regression models were used to test the associations of each SB with gray matter volume. Results: Watching TV was associated with lower gray matter volume in six brain regions (β ranging −0.314 to −0.489 and cluster size 106 to 323 voxels; p < 0.001), playing video games in three brain regions (β ranging −0.391 to −0.359, and cluster size 96 to 461 voxels; p < 0.001) and total sedentary time in two brain regions (β ranging −0.341 to −0.352, and cluster size 897 to 2455 voxels; p < 0.001). No brain regions showed a significant positive association (all p > 0.05). Two brain regions were related, or borderline related, to intelligence. Conclusions: SB could have the potential to negatively influence brain structure and, in turn, intelligence in children with overweight/obesity.
Highlights
Sedentary behavior refers to any waking behavior defined by energy expenditure ≤ 1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs) while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture [1]
Watching TV was related to lower volumes of gray matter in the frontal, parietal and occipital regions; playing video games was associated with lower volumes of gray matter in the occipito-temporal regions; and total sedentary time was associated with lower volumes of gray matter in the cerebellum; (ii) the association of watching TV and gray matter volume was independent of cardiorespiratory fitness, whereas the associations of playing video games and total sedentary time with gray matter volume were partially confounded by cardiorespiratory fitness; and (iii) gray matter in the cerebellum was positively associated with intelligence
Watching TV was related to lower volumes of gray matter in the frontal, parietal and occipital regions; playing video games was associated with lower volumes of gray matter in the temporal regions; and a greater total sedentary time was associated with lower volumes of gray matter in the cerebellum
Summary
Sedentary behavior refers to any waking behavior defined by energy expenditure ≤ 1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs) while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture [1]. Sedentary behavior represents approximately 60% of the awake time of children and an increase has been reported in the last years [2,3]. There is a rise in the availability of electronic forms of entertainment for children, including television, internet, mobile phones and video games, which has resulted in an increase in the time spent in sedentary behaviors and has become the most common leisure activity [2,4]. There is compelling evidence showing that increasing sedentary behaviors may impair physical, mental and cognitive health in children and adolescents [5,6]. Less is known about the influence of sedentary behavior on brain health and its relationship with intelligence across the lifespan
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
