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Effects of Interrupting Children's Sedentary Behaviors With Activity on Metabolic Function: A Randomized Trial
Britni R Belcher1, David Berrigan1, Alexia Papachristopoulou1
1Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (B.R.B., D.B.), and Pediatric Oncology Branch (P.L.W.), National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-9762; Section on Growth and Obesity, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics (B.R.B., A.P., S.M.B., I.L.T., J.A.Y.), Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1103; Nutrition (S.B.B., A.B.C.), Rehabilitation Medicine (B.E.D.), and Nursing (K.P.S.) Departments, Hatfield Clinical Research Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892; Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Obesity Branch (R.J.B., J.D.H., K.Y.C.), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2560; and Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Branch (D.R.R.), National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Insights
Interrupting sedentary time with brief walks significantly improved metabolic health in children. This strategy reduced insulin, C-peptide, and glucose levels without increasing calorie intake, suggesting a promising approach for preventing cardiometabolic risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric metabolic health
- Sedentary behavior research
- Cardiometabolic risk prevention
Background:
- Limited evidence suggests interrupting sedentary behavior improves metabolic parameters in adults.
- Sedentary behaviors are prevalent in children and linked to adverse health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if interrupting sitting with short, moderate-intensity walking bouts improves glucose tolerance in children.
- To investigate the impact of activity breaks on metabolic markers in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-eight normal-weight children (7-11 years) participated in two conditions: 3 hours of continuous sitting or sitting interrupted by 3-minute walks every 30 minutes.
- An oral glucose tolerance test was administered, with measurements of insulin, C-peptide, glucose, and free fatty acids every 30 minutes for 3 hours.
- Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for hormone and substrate measurements; subsequent energy intake was assessed via a buffet meal.
Main Results:
- Interrupting sitting significantly reduced insulin AUC by 32% (P < .001), C-peptide AUC by 17% (P < .001), and glucose AUC by 7% (P = .018) compared to continuous sitting.
- Insulin and free fatty acid concentrations were significantly lower in the interrupted sitting condition.
- There was no significant difference in energy intake at the subsequent buffet meal between the two conditions.
Conclusions:
- Briefly interrupting sedentary time with moderate-intensity walking improves short-term metabolic function in non-overweight children.
- This intervention strategy does not lead to increased subsequent energy intake.
- Interrupting sedentary behavior may be a viable strategy for reducing cardiometabolic risk in children.
Context:
Limited data suggest that interrupting sedentary behaviors with activity improves metabolic parameters in adults.
Objective:
We tested whether interrupting sitting with short, moderate-intensity walking bouts improved glucose tolerance in children.
Design:
Participants underwent two experimental conditions in random order on different days: continuous sitting for 3 hours or sitting interrupted by walking (3 min of moderate-intensity walking every 30 min). Insulin, C-peptide, glucose, and free fatty acids were measured every 30 minutes for 3 hours during an oral glucose tolerance test. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated from hormone and substrate measurements. Children were given a buffet meal after each condition.
Setting:
The study was conducted at the National Institutes of Health Hatfield Clinical Research Center.
Participants:
Twenty-eight normal-weight 7-11 year olds participated.
Main Outcomes:
Patterns of substrate/hormone secretion and AUC, as well as energy intake, were examined by experimental condition.
Results:
Interrupting sitting resulted in a 32% lower insulin AUC (P < .001), 17% lower C-peptide AUC (P < .001), and 7% lower glucose AUC (P = .018) vs continuous sitting. Mixed model results indicated that insulin (P = .036) and free fatty acid concentrations (P = .009) were significantly lower in the interrupted vs the continuous sitting condition. Lunchtime buffet meal energy intake did not significantly differ between the conditions (975 ± 387 vs 963 ± 309 kcal; P = .85).
Conclusions:
Interrupting sedentary time with brief moderate-intensity walking improved short-term metabolic function in non-overweight children without increasing subsequent energy intake. These findings suggest that interrupting sedentary behavior may be a promising prevention strategy for reducing cardiometabolic risk in children.
