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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Relationship between 24-h activity behavior and body fat percentage in preschool children: based on compositional
Jinmei Fu1, Shunli Sun1, Shenggen Zhu2
1Jiangxi Province Sports Science Medical Center, No.28 Fuzhou Road, Nanchang, 330006, Jiangxi, China.
Insights
Reducing moderate- to high-intensity physical activity (MVPA) in Chinese preschoolers significantly increases body fat percentage (BFP). Isotemporal substitution models highlight MVPA
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Obesity Research
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing global concern, with body fat percentage (BFP) being a key indicator.
- Understanding the relationship between daily activity patterns and BFP is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dose-response relationship between 24-hour activity behaviors and BFP in Chinese preschool children.
- To utilize compositional data analysis and isotemporal substitution models to analyze these relationships.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 881 preschool children (aged 3-6) from urban and rural areas.
- Objective measurement of sedentary behavior (SB), low-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate- to high-intensity physical activity (MVPA) using accelerometers.
- Analysis using compositional data analysis (CoDA) and isotemporal substitution models (ISM).
Main Results:
- Higher BFP was observed in urban compared to rural children and decreased with age.
- Sedentary behavior (SB) was positively correlated with BFP, while LPA and MVPA were negatively correlated.
- A 30-minute reduction in MVPA significantly increased BFP, especially in overweight children. Gender differences were noted, with MVPA impacting boys and SB/LPA impacting girls.
Conclusions:
- Body fat percentage in preschoolers is strongly associated with 24-hour activity behaviors, particularly in overweight and obese children.
- Isotemporal substitution modeling identified MVPA as a critical factor, with reductions substantially increasing BFP.
- Gender-specific effects highlight the importance of tailored physical activity recommendations for boys and girls.
Objective:
This study aims to elucidate the dose‒response relationship between 24-h activity behaviors and body fat percentage (BFP) in Chinese preschool children using a compositional isotemporal substitution model (ISM).
Methods:
In a cross-sectional design, 881 children aged 3-6 from urban and rural areas of Jiangxi Province were sampled. Activity behaviors, including sedentary behavior (SB), low-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate- to high-intensity physical activity (MVPA), were measured using accelerometers. Sleep patterns were assessed through questionnaires, and BFP was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The study employed compositional data analysis (CoDA) and ISM to estimate the impact of reallocating durations of different activity behaviors on BFP.
Results:
Higher BFP was found in urban vs. rural children, decreasing with age. Overweight and obesity rates were 10.6% and 7.6%, respectively, above national averages. MVPA and LPA were negatively correlated with BFP, while SB was positively correlated. A 30-min MVPA reduction significantly increased zBFR, particularly in overweight children. Gender-specific nuances revealed that boys' MVPA negatively influenced zBFP (β = -0.155), P < 0.05), while girls' SB positively impacted zBFP (β = 0.636, P < 0.01). Isotemporal simulations emphasized amplified effects in overweight children, with boys' zBFR rising rapidly when MVPA was substituted and girls displaying a notable substitution effect between SB and LPA.
Conclusion:
BFP is closely linked to 24-h activity behaviors, notably in overweight and obese preschoolers. ISM identified MVPA as a critical influencer, with a 30-min reduction substantially increasing BFP. Gender disparities were evident, implicating MVPA in boys and LPA and SB in girls.
