Abstract
A balanced diet and sufficient physical activity are essential for the healthy growth of children and adolescents and for obesity prevention. Data from the second wave of the population-based German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS Wave 2; 2014–2017) were used to analyse the association between food intake and physical activity among 6- to 17-year-old children and adolescents (n = 9842). Physical exercise (PE) and recommended daily physical activity (RDPA) were assessed with self-administered questionnaires and food intake by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyse the association between food group intake (dependent variable) and level of PE or RDPA. High levels of physical activity (PE or RDPA) were associated with higher consumption of juice, water, milk, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables among both boys and girls, and among boys with a higher intake of bread, potatoes/pasta/rice, meat, and cereals. Higher PE levels were also less likely to be associated with a high soft drink intake. High levels of RDPA were associated with high intake of energy-dense foods among boys, which was not observed for PE. This study indicates that school-aged children and adolescents with higher levels of physical activity consume more beneficial foods and beverages compared to those with lower physical activity levels.
Highlights
IntroductionA balanced diet and sufficient physical activity are essential for a healthy growth and development of children and adolescents and are important determinants of health throughout the life course
A balanced diet and sufficient physical activity are essential for a healthy growth and development of children and adolescents and are important determinants of health throughout the life course.Unbalanced dietary patterns are associated with unfavourable cardiometabolic risk factors among adolescents [1,2]
The proportion of boys and girls with a high Physical exercise (PE) level was higher among older age groups, whereas the proportion with a high recommended daily physical activity (RDPA) level was lower among older age groups
Summary
A balanced diet and sufficient physical activity are essential for a healthy growth and development of children and adolescents and are important determinants of health throughout the life course. Unbalanced dietary patterns (with high amounts of highly processed and energy dense foods) are associated with unfavourable cardiometabolic risk factors (e.g., blood pressure, blood glucose, insulin levels, and lipid profile) among adolescents [1,2]. Higher levels of physical activity are associated with better physical, psychological, and cognitive health of children and adolescents [3], whereas a predominantly sedentary lifestyle is associated with less favourable levels of cardiometabolic risk factors [4]. In addition to genetic predisposition [5], dietary behaviour and physical activity are important determinants of obesity [6,7].
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