title: Daily physical activity and screen time, but not other sedentary activities, are associated with measures of obesity during childhood.
abstract: Childhood obesity is related to low physical activity level and a sedentary lifestyle. The aim of this study was to assess the physical activity level and sedentary behaviour of Malaysian children aged 7 to 12 years and to examine their association with body mass index (BMI), BMI-for-age Z-score (BAZ), body fatness (%BF) and waist circumference (WC). A total of 1736 children, representing all ethnic groups were recruited from six regions of Malaysia. Anthropometric measurements included body weight, height and waist circumference. Body fat percentage (%BF) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance. Physical activity was assessed by a physical activity questionnaire (PAQ) in all children and by pedometers in a subsample (n = 514). PAQ score and pedometer step counts were negatively associated with BMI, BAZ, %BF and WC after adjusting for covariates. Screen time was positively associated with BAZ and WC. However, other sedentary activities were not significantly related with any anthropometric indicators. Strategies to promote active living among children in Malaysia should focus not only on increasing physical activity but also emphasise reduction in sedentary behaviours.
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. shoothien@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Shoo Thien
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. wjeiin@ukm.edu.my.
authors.forename: Jyh Eiin
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. nikshanita@ukm.edu.my.
authors.forename: Safii Nik
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Shanita
authors.affiliation: School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia. ismailnoor49@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohd Noor
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.affiliation: Nutrition Consultant, Telaga Harbour Park, Lot 1, 07000 Langkawi, Malaysia. paul.deurenberg@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deurenberg
authors.affiliation: School of Healthcare Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. pbkoon@ukm.edu.my.
authors.forename: Bee Koon
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Poh
mesh_terms: D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003201:Computers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018910:Video Games / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055105:Waist Circumference