title: The Development of Activity Profiles in Adolescent Females and their Association with Adiposity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to (1) use the objective activPAL activity monitor to assess physical activity behaviors, including sitting/lying, standing, and both light (LIPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA); (2) to develop distinct activity profiles based on time spent in each behavior in a sample of adolescent females; and (3) examine whether levels of adiposity differ across these activity profiles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female adolescents (n = 195; 14-18 y) had body mass index (median = 21.7 [IQR = 5.2] kg/m2) and 4-site skinfold thickness (median 62.0 mm; IQR = 37.1) measured. Physical activity behaviors were measured using the activPAL. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped participants into activity profiles based on similar physical activity characteristics. Linear mixed models explored differences in body composition across activity profiles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three activity profiles were identified, a low (n = 35), moderate (n = 110), and a high activity profile (n = 50). Significant differences across activity profiles were observed for skinfold thickness (p = .046), with higher values observed in the low activity profile compared with the high activity profile.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Profiling free-living activity using behaviors from across the activity intensity continuum may account for more of the variability in energy expenditure then examining specific activity intensities, such as MVPA alone. The use of activity profiles may enable the identification of individuals with unhealthy activity behaviors, leading to the development and implementation of more targeted interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Kieran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dowd
authors.forename: Deidre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: Ailish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hannigan
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Purtill
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Alan P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Macken
authors.forename: Niall
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Moyna
authors.forename: Clodagh S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: O'Gorman
authors.forename: Alan E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Donnelly
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000067697:Adolescent Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology