Effects of manipulating sedentary behavior on physical activity and food intake.
OBJECTIVE
Sedentary behaviors have been correlated with obesity. We investigated whether changes in sedentary behaviors relate to changes in energy intake and/or physical activity.


METHODS
Experimental within-subject crossover design in which children participated in three 3-week phases: baseline and increased and decreased targeted sedentary behaviors.


METHODS
Thirteen 8- to 12-year-old, nonobese children.


METHODS
Sedentary behaviors were measured through the use of daily activity logs, physical activity measured with accelerometers, and energy intake measured by means of repeated 24-hour recalls collected during each phase. Energy intake, energy expenditure, and energy balance per day were calculated.


RESULTS
Children showed significant (P <.001) increases of 50% and decreases of 53% in targeted sedentary behaviors from baseline during the increase and decrease phases, respectively. There was a significant (P =.05) increase in energy balance per day (+350.7 kcal) when sedentary behaviors were increased, as the result of an increase in energy intake per day (+250.9 kcal) and a decrease in energy expenditure (-99.8 kcal). No significant changes in energy balance were observed when sedentary behaviors were decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing sedentary behaviors had a greater influence on physical activity and energy intake than reducing sedentary behavior in nonobese youth. In some children, changes in sedentary behaviors may be important to modify energy balance and prevent obesity.
Epstein
Leonard H
LH
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, New York 14214, USA.
Paluch
Rocco A
RA
Consalvi
Angela
A
Riordan
Kristy
K
Scholl
Tammy
T
D002648:Child; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004435:Eating; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control