Associations Between Anthropometric Indicators in Early Life and Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Time in Adolescence.

Abstract

To explore the associations between birth weight and body mass index (BMI) from 6months to 6years of age, with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical activity, and sedentary time in adolescence. Retrospective school-based study with 539 adolescents (292 girls), mean age of 13.94 (1.62)years. Anthropometric data from birth up to 6years were extracted from individual child health booklets. CRF was estimated by 20-m shuttle run test. Physical activity and sedentary time were assessed with accelerometers. Birth weight was not associated with any outcome measured in adolescence. From the age of 6months onwards in girls, and from 3years in boys, BMI associated inversely with CRF in adolescence. In girls, BMI (at 12mo and at 3y of age) associated positively with sedentary time in adolescence, but not with physical activity. In boys, positive associations between BMI at the ages of 3, 5, and 6years old and time spent in some intensities of physical activity in adolescence were found. BMI during the early years was negatively associated with CRF in adolescence, in a consistent way, for both genders, but with physical activity and sedentary time the associations were scarce and inconsistent, depending on the gender.