Differences in Body Fatness, Fat Patterning and Cardio-Respiratory Fitness Between Groups of Australian Children Formed on the Basis of Physical Activity and Television Viewing Guidelines.

Abstract

Evidence suggests that a substantial proportion of children meet guidelines for sufficient physical activity, but also exceed TV guidelines. Health-related consequences of this combination are unknown. 843 children, (age 10-11 y), were surveyed for health-related fitness [endurance performance (20 m MST), skinfolds, waist girth], daily TV and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Children were grouped using daily TV (≤ 120 min) and MVPA (≥ 60 min) guidelines: hiTV-hiMVPA/"technoactives"'; hiTV-loMVPA/"screenies"; and loTV-hiMVPA/"sporties." Groups were compared on health-related fitness measures. There was a trend (P = 0.07) towards higher girls' skinfolds among "screenies" than "sporties." Boys' waist girths were higher among "technoactives" than "sporties" (P = 0.008). Male "technoactives" outperformed "screenies" on the 20 m MST (P = 0.03). Female "sporties" (P = 0.004) and "technoactives" (P = 0.0002) outperformed "screenies" on the 20 m MST. "Technoactives" were no different than "sporties" on endurance fitness but exhibited less favorable fat distribution among boys. Overall, "screenies" exhibited the least favorable health profiles.