title: Energy consumption, body composition and physical activity levels in 11- to 13-year-old Spanish children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood is increasing markedly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between physical activity, energy consumption and weight status in a cohort of Spanish children.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 137 children (11-13 years old) participated in the study voluntarily (with paternal consent). Children were classified into 3 groups according to their physical activity, i.e. sedentary, active and sporty groups. Body composition measures, physical fitness and total caloric and macronutrient intake were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Weight, body mass index, waist circumference, skinfold thickness measures and body fat percentage of children were lower in the active children, whereas body water content increased with activity. Nutritional habits were similar in the 3 studied groups. No significant differences in total energy intake or percentage of carbohydrates, fat and proteins were found. All parameters related to caloric expenditure were higher in children carrying out more physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with higher levels of physical activity presented more favorable anthropometric profiles, but there were no differences in respect to their dietary habits. An increase in weekly energy expenditure through physical activity outside school seems essential to prevent overweight and the risk of childhood obesity.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica, Biología Molecular y Fisiología, Facultad de Fisioterapia, Universidad de Valladolid, Soria, Spain.
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cordova
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sureda
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Marroyo
authors.forename: Raúl
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez-Castañeda
authors.forename: María P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Collado
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D050177:Overweight; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055105:Waist Circumference; D044465:White People