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Preschool physical activity and functional constipation: the Generation R study

Lisa M Driessen1, Jessica C Kiefte-de Jong, Anne Wijtzes

  • 1*Department of Pediatrics †Department of Public Health ‡Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam §Department of Healthy Living, Expertise Centre Life Style TNO, Leiden (SIdV), The Netherlands.

Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
|July 17, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Increased physical activity in preschoolers is linked to a lower risk of functional constipation. Maintaining activity levels, especially above recommended guidelines, may help prevent this common childhood issue.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Child Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Rising prevalence of functional constipation in children.
  • Potential link between decreased physical activity and functional constipation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between physical activity and functional constipation in preschool-aged children.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective birth-cohort study (Generation R) in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
  • Actigraph accelerometers used to measure physical activity in 347 children (mean age 25.1 months).
  • Functional constipation diagnosed using Rome II criteria in the third and fourth year of life.

Main Results:

  • Higher levels of light, moderate, and total physical activity at age 2 were associated with significantly less functional constipation by age 4.
  • Children exceeding the WHO recommendation of 60 minutes of daily physical activity showed a reduced risk of functional constipation by age 4.
  • Similar trends were observed for functional constipation at age 3, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

  • Physical activity is associated with a decreased risk of functional constipation in preschool-aged children.
  • The protective effect of physical activity on functional constipation may be time-dependent.
Abstract

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