title: Associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and central body fat in 3-8-year-old children.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and central body fat (CBF) indicators by anthropometry and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in young children. This study comprised 110 children aged 3-8 years. The associations between MVPA and CBF measures by anthropometry (waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, skinfold thicknesses [subscapular, suprailiac, trunk-to-extremity and trunk-to-total skinfold ratios] and total trunk-to-waist circumference), DXA (trunk fat) and a combination of both (total trunk skinfolds-to-trunk fat by DXA) were examined by linear regression. Levels of MVPA showed a significant inverse association with 8 of 9 indicators of CBF after controlling for age, gender and height, and fat-free mass. When total fat mass measured by DXA was included into the model, levels of MVPA remained significantly associated with 6 of 9 indicators of CBF. The results highlight the plausible role of MVPA on CBF in young children but longitudinal studies are necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Metabolism and Nutrition, Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition, Spanish National Research Council, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martinez-Gomez
authors.forename: Joey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Eisenmann
authors.forename: Jared
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Kate A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Heelan
authors.forename: Gregory J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Welk
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D056044:Actigraphy / Q000295:instrumentation; D050154:Adiposity; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States; D009043:Motor Activity; D050177:Overweight / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013997:Time Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio