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Correlates of Physical Activity among Young Children with Moderate Acute Malnutrition
Charles W Yaméogo1, Bernardette Cichon2, Christian Fabiansen2
1Centre de Recherche en Sciences Biologiques, Alimentaires et Nutritionnelles, Université de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark; Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Ministère des Enseignements Supérieurs, de la Recherche Scientifique et de l'Innovation, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Insights
Physical activity in young children with moderate acute malnutrition decreases with age. Illness and inflammation also reduce activity levels, highlighting key factors affecting movement in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Child Health
- Physical Activity Research
Background:
- Moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) affects millions of young children globally.
- Understanding factors influencing physical activity is crucial for growth and development in children with MAM.
- Limited data exists on physical activity levels and their correlates in this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess physical activity levels in young children with moderate acute malnutrition.
- To identify clinical, biochemical, anthropometric, and sociodemographic factors associated with physical activity in this group.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 1609 children aged 6-23 months.
- Physical activity was measured using triaxial accelerometers over 6 consecutive days.
- Data on morbidity, serum inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, α1-acid glycoprotein), and hemoglobin were collected.
Main Results:
- Mean physical activity was 707 vector magnitude counts per minute.
- Physical activity declined with age, with children aged 12-23 months showing significantly lower activity than those under 12 months.
- Fever, malaria, elevated C-reactive protein, and α1-acid glycoprotein were negatively correlated with physical activity, while hemoglobin was positively correlated.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity in children with MAM decreases with age.
- Infection and inflammation are inversely related to physical activity levels in this population.
- Further research is needed to establish causality for these observed associations.
Objective:
To assess the levels of physical activity among young children with moderate acute malnutrition and to identify clinical, biochemical, anthropometric, and sociodemographic correlates of physical activity.
Study Design:
In a cross-sectional study, 1609 children aged 6-23 months wore a triaxial accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3x+; ActiGraph, Pensacola, Florida) for 6 consecutive days, from which total physical activity were determined. Data on morbidity were collected based by history and physical examination, and serum C-reactive protein and α1-acid glycoprotein were measured.
Results:
A total of 1544 (96%) children had physical activity measured, of whom 1498 (97%) completed 6 consecutive days of physical activity recording with a daily median wear time of 24 hours. The mean (±SD) total physical activity was 707 (±180) vector magnitude counts per minute (cpm). Age was negatively correlated with physical activity; compared with children below 12 months of age, those 12-17 months of age, and 18-23 months of age had 51 (95% CI, 26; 75) and 106 (95% CI, 71; 141) cpm lower physical activity, respectively. Fever and malaria were associated with 49 (95% CI, 27; 70) and 44 (95% CI, 27; 61) cpm lower activity, respectively. Elevated serum C-reactive protein and α1-acid glycoprotein were both negative correlates of physical activity, and hemoglobin was a positive correlate.
Conclusions:
Physical activity declines with age in children with moderate acute malnutrition and is also inversely related to infection and inflammatory status. Future studies are needed to ascertain cause and effect of these associations.
Trial Registration:
Controlled-Trials.com: ISRCTN42569496.
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