Joint association of birth weight and physical activity/sedentary behavior with obesity in children ages 9-11 years from 12 countries.

Jean‐Philippe Chaput,Catrine Tudor‐Locke,Hongyan Liu,Yijuan Qiao,Olga L Sarmiento,Pei Zhao,Vincent Onywera,Mikael Fogelholm,Peter T Katzmarzyk,Rebecca Kuriyan,Mark S Tremblay,Victor Keihan Rodrigues Matsudo ,Carol Maher,Tim Olds ,José Maia ,Anura Kurpad,William D Johnson,Estelle V Lambert,Tao Zhang,Martyn Standage,Gang Hu

doi:10.1002/oby.21792

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the joint association of birth weight and physical/sedentary activity time with obesity in 12 countries.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 5,088 children aged 9–11 years was conducted. Birth weight was recalled by parents or guardians. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior were objectively measured using accelerometry.ResultsThe association of birth weight with the odds of obesity, central obesity and high body fat was significant among children with either low MVPA or high sedentary time but not among children with either high MVPA or low sedentary time. In comparison with children with normal birth weight and high MVPA, children with high birth weight and low MVPA showed 4.48–5.18 fold higher odds of obesity, central obesity, and high body fat; children with normal birth weight and low MVPA showed 3.00–3.30 fold higher odds of obesity, central obesity, and high body fat, and children with high birth weight and high MVPA showed 1.16–1.68 fold higher odds of obesity, central obesity, and high body fat.ConclusionsHigh MVPA is more important than high birth weight as a correlate of obesity in children.

Highlights

Obesity is an important lifestyle-related public health problem worldwide [1]
High Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is more important than high birth weight as a correlate of obesity in children
Among children with low MVPA at 9–11 years old, those born with high birth weight had higher odds for obesity, central obesity, and high body fat than those born with normal birth weight (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is an important lifestyle-related public health problem worldwide [1]. Obesity has negative health impacts in childhood and later in life, as people with obesity experience adverse outcomes including hypertension, early markers of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and adverse psychological effects [3]. Childhood obesity is potentially affected by many lifestyle factors, including moderate-tovigorous physical activity(MVPA) and sedentary behaviors [4]. It has been shown that engaging in regular physical activity can reduce the risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and several types of cancer [5]. The available evidence from prospective studies suggests that increased physical activity, MVPA, and decreased sedentary behaviour are protective against relative gains in adiposity during childhood and adolescence [6]

Methods

Results

Conclusion