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Physical inactivity and obesity: a vicious circle
Kirsi H Pietiläinen1, Jaakko Kaprio, Patrik Borg
1Obesity Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. kirsi.pietilainen@helsinki.fi
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
|February 2, 2008
Summary
Adolescent physical inactivity strongly predicts adult obesity, especially abdominal obesity. This creates a self-perpetuating cycle, highlighting the need for early physical activity promotion.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Medicine
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) declines during adolescence, coinciding with weight gain.
- A potential vicious cycle exists between decreasing PA and increasing weight from adolescence to early adulthood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that decreasing PA and increasing weight form a self-perpetuating cycle.
- To determine if adolescent physical activity and fitness predict obesity at age 25.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study of 4,240 Finnish twins (born 1975-1979) assessed adolescent PA and fitness.
- Prediction of obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference) at age 25.
- Detailed evaluation of 10 adult monozygotic twin pairs discordant for obesity, including PA, total energy expenditure (TEE), and basal metabolic rate (BMR).
Main Results:
- Adolescent physical inactivity significantly predicted adult obesity (OR 3.9) and abdominal obesity (OR 4.8), independent of BMI.
- Poor adolescent physical fitness also increased the risk for adult obesity (OR 5.1) and abdominal obesity (OR 3.2).
- In obese twin pairs, PA was lower, and BMR was higher; TEE did not differ.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent physical inactivity is a strong, independent predictor of young adult obesity, particularly abdominal obesity.
- This establishes a self-perpetuating cycle between obesity and physical inactivity.
- Promoting physical activity in youth is crucial for obesity prevention.
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