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Physical activity fluctuations and body fat during adolescence
M Bélanger1, J O'Loughlin, I Karp
1Centre de formation médicale du Nouveau-Brunswick, Moncton, NB, Canada. mathieu.f.belanger@usherbrooke.ca
Pediatric Obesity
|March 22, 2012
Summary
Greater physical activity fluctuations increase body fat in adolescent boys but decrease it in girls. Sex-specific interventions are recommended for managing adolescent body composition and physical activity levels.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Exercise Physiology
- Body Composition
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for body composition development.
- Physical activity patterns often become more variable during adolescence.
- Understanding the impact of physical activity variability on body fat is crucial for long-term health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hypothesis that greater fluctuations in physical activity correlate with increased body fat during adolescence.
- To examine sex-specific associations between physical activity variability and body fat markers.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study followed 756 adolescents (aged 12-13 at baseline) for 5 years in Montreal, Canada.
- Physical activity was assessed every 3 months using a 7-day recall questionnaire.
- Body fat indicators including Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, and skinfold thickness were measured at baseline and follow-up.
Main Results:
- In boys, increased physical activity fluctuation was significantly associated with higher BMI and triceps skinfold thickness.
- In girls, greater physical activity fluctuation was significantly associated with lower BMI, waist circumference, and both triceps and subscapular skinfolds.
- Associations varied between sexes, indicating a potential sex-specific effect.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity fluctuations significantly impact body fat accumulation during adolescence.
- The effects of physical activity variability on body fat are sex-dependent, with different implications for boys and girls.
- Targeted, sex-specific interventions may be necessary to address physical activity fluctuations and their impact on adolescent body composition.
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