title: MVPA is associated with lower weight gain in 8-10 year old children: a prospective study with 1 year follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Studies relating physical activity (PA) to weight gain in children have produced mixed results, although there is some evidence for stronger associations with more intense physical activities. The present study tested the hypothesis that weight gain over one year in 8-10 year olds would be more strongly predicted by moderate and vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than total physical activity (total PA) or sedentary behaviour.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 280 children taking part in the Physical Exercise and Appetite in Children Study (PEACHES). Weight status was assessed using body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI), and waist circumference (WC) in school Year 4 (baseline; age 8.7 yrs) and Year 5 (follow-up; age 9.7 yrs). Physical activity was measured at baseline using the Actigraph GT1M accelerometer to assess total PA (mean accelerometers counts per minute), MVPA; ≥ 4000 counts per minute) and sedentary time (<100 counts per minute).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment for baseline BMI, SES, sex and ethnicity, MVPA was significantly associated with follow-up BMI (adjusted β  = -0.07; p = 0.002). This association was independent of total PA or sedentary time. Similar results were observed for FMI; again MVPA was significantly associated with follow up FMI (β = -0.16; p = 0.001) independent of total PA or sedentary time. The pattern was similar for WC (β = -0.07), but the association between MVPA and WC did not reach significance at p = 0.06.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study strongly support promotion of MVPA in children.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Abigail
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Webber
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Purslow
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wardle
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000502:physiology; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology*