Are children's activity levels determined by their genes or environment? A systematic review of twin studies

The importance of physical activity to paediatric health warrants investigation into its determinants. Objective measurement allows a robust examination of genetic and environmental influences on physical activity.

To systematically review the evidence on the extent of genetic and environmental influence on children's objectively-measured activity levels from twin studies.

Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Health and Psychosocial Instruments and all Ovid Databases. Search terms: "accelerometer" OR "actometer" OR "motion sensor" OR "heart rate monitor" OR "physical activity energy expenditure" AND "twin". Limited to Human, English language and children (0-18 years).

Seven sets of analyses were included in the review. Six analyses examined children's daily-life activity and found that the shared environment had a strong influence on activity levels (weighted mean 60%), with a smaller contribution from genetic factors (weighted mean 21%). Two analyses examined short-term, self-directed activity in a standard environment and found a smaller shared environment effect (weighted mean 25%) and a larger genetic estimate (weighted mean 45%).

Although genetic influences may be expressed when children have brief opportunities for autonomous activity, activity levels in daily-life are predominantly explained by environmental factors. Future research should aim to identify key environmental drivers of childhood activity.