title: Physical activity, diet and BMI in children aged 6-8 years: a cross-sectional analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess relationships between current physical activity (PA), dietary intake and body mass index (BMI) in English children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal birth cohort study in northeast England, cross-sectional analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  425 children (41% of the original cohort) aged 6-8 years (49% boys).
  
  
  METHODS
  PA over 7 days was measured objectively by an accelerometer; three categories of PA were created: 'active' ≥60 min/day moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA); 'moderately active' 30-59 min/day MVPA; 'inactive' <30 min/day MVPA. Dietary intake over 4 days was measured using a prospective dietary assessment tool which incorporated elements of the food diary and food frequency methods. Three diet categories were created: 'healthy', 'unhealthy' and 'mixed', according to the number of portions of different foods consumed. Adherence to the '5-a-day' recommendations for portions of fruit and vegetables was also assessed. Children were classified as 'healthy weight' or 'overweight or obese' (OW/OB) according to International Obesity Taskforce cutpoints for BMI. Associations between weight status and PA/diet categories were analysed using logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Few children met the UK-recommended guidelines for either MVPA or fruit and vegetable intake, with just 7% meeting the recommended amount of MVPA of 60 min/day, and 3% meeting the 5-a-day fruit and vegetable recommendation. Higher PA was associated with a lower OR for OW/OB in boys only (0.20, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.88). There was no association detected between dietary intake and OW/OB in either sex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increasing MVPA may help to reduce OW/OB in boys; however, more research is required to examine this relationship in girls. Children are not meeting the UK guidelines for diet and PA, and more needs to be done to improve this situation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Basterfield
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Angela R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Kathryn N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Parkinson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Newcastle University, Sir James Spence Institute, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity for Health Group, School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health & Society, Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: Ashley J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Adamson
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006113:United Kingdom; D014675:Vegetables
keywords: Epidemiology; Public Health