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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Association between birth weight and objectively measured sedentary time is mediated by central adiposity: data in
Maria Hildebrand1, Elin Kolle1, Bjørge H Hansen1
1From the Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway (MH, EK, BHH, LBA, and UE); the Medical Research Council Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom (PJC, KW, EvS, and UE); the School of Social and Community Medicine (KK) and the Centre for Exercise, Nutrition & Health Sciences, School for Policy Studies (ARC), University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom (LB Sherar); the Institute of Sport Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (LBA); the Department of Sport and Health, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal (LB Sardinha); the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland (SK); and the Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil (PH).
Insights
Low birth weight in youth is linked to increased sedentary time, partly due to higher central adiposity. This highlights birth weight and abdominal fat as key factors influencing activity levels in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Epidemiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Birth weight is an early indicator of later-life disease risk.
- Animal studies suggest low birth weight correlates with reduced physical activity and increased sedentary behavior.
- The relationship between birth weight and sedentary time in humans remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between birth weight and sedentary time in youth.
- To determine if central adiposity mediates the relationship between birth weight and sedentary time.
Main Methods:
- Pooled analysis of 8 cross-sectional observational studies (10,793 youth aged 6-18 years) from the International Children's Accelerometry Database.
- Sedentary time assessed via accelerometry; abdominal adiposity measured by waist circumference.
- Mediation analysis with bootstrapping to examine indirect effects.
Main Results:
- A positive association was found between birth weight and sedentary time (B = 4.04, P = 0.006).
- Birth weight and waist circumference were both positively associated with sedentary time.
- Mediation analysis revealed a significant indirect effect of birth weight on sedentary time via waist circumference (B: 1.30; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.72).
Conclusions:
- Central adiposity partially mediates the association between birth weight and sedentary time in youth.
- Both birth weight and abdominal adiposity are potential correlates of sedentary behavior in children and adolescents.
Background:
Birth weight is an early correlate of disease later in life, and animal studies suggest that low birth weight is associated with reduced activity and increased sedentary time. Whether birth weight predicts later sedentary time in humans is uncertain.
Objectives:
We examined the relation between birth weight and sedentary time in youth and examined whether this association was mediated by central adiposity.
Design:
We used pooled cross-sectional data from 8 observational studies conducted between 1997 and 2007 that consisted of 10,793 youth (boys: 47%) aged 6-18 y from the International Children's Accelerometry Database. Birth weight was measured in hospitals or maternally reported, sedentary time was assessed by using accelerometry (<100 counts/min), and abdominal adiposity (waist circumference) was measured according to WHO procedures. A mediation analysis with bootstrapping was used to analyze data.
Results:
The mean (±SD) time spent sedentary was 370 ± 91 min/d. Birth weight was positively associated with sedentary time (B = 4.04, P = 0.006) and waist circumference (B = 1.59, P < 0.001), whereas waist circumference was positively associated with sedentary time (B = 0.82, P < 0.001). Results of the mediation analysis showed a significant indirect effect of birth weight on sedentary time through waist circumference (B: 1.30; 95% bias-corrected CI: 0.94, 1.72), and when waist circumference was controlled for, the effect of birth weight on sedentary time was attenuated by 32% (B = 2.74, P = 0.06).
Conclusion:
The association between birth weight and sedentary time appears partially mediated by central adiposity, suggesting that both birth weight and abdominal adiposity may be correlates of sedentary time in youth.
