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Association between Objectively measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior with Body Composition among Primary
Masoud Shakki1, Reza Rezaeeshirazi1, Neda Aghaei Bahmanbeglou1
1Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Aliabad Katoul Branch, Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran.
Insights
Sedentary behavior (SB) in children is linked to higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat Mass (BFM). Increased moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with lower BMI and BFM, emphasizing the need for high-intensity exercise and reduced SB.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Exercise Physiology
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) is vital for children's long-term health and well-being.
- Sedentary behavior (SB) and PA patterns are key factors influencing childhood development.
- Understanding the interplay between PA, SB, and body composition (BC) is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and body composition (BC) in primary school children.
- To analyze the association of SB and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with BMI and body fat mass.
- To compare body composition metrics between children meeting and not meeting MVPA guidelines.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive-correlational study involving 322 primary school boys in Iran.
- Objective measurement of PA and SB using ActiGraph accelerometers.
- Assessment of body composition (BC) including Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat Mass (BFM) using specialized equipment.
Main Results:
- Children spent a significant portion of their day (67.55%) in SB.
- SB showed a direct correlation with increased BMI and BFM.
- Higher levels of MVPA were inversely correlated with BMI and BFM, and positively associated with Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM).
Conclusions:
- Vigorous physical activity and reduced SB are critical for managing adiposity in children.
- Promoting high-intensity PA and minimizing sedentary time are essential strategies for improving children's body composition.
- Adherence to MVPA guidelines is linked to healthier body composition outcomes in children.
Background:
Physical activity (PA) plays a crucial role in the overall well-being of children in the long term. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between PA, sedentary behavior (SB), and body composition (BC) among primary school children.
Methods:
This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in Ali-Abad-Katoul, Iran in 2023. A sample size of 322 boys was selected using convenience sampling method. ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer and Body Composition X-Scan Plus II were used for measuring PA pattern and BC. Pearson correlation and Independent t tests were used to analyze the data.
Results:
The accelerometer data revealed that participants spent 67.55% of the total time in SB. Moreover, on average, daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was 49.71±22.37 minutes. Accordingly, the daily energy expenditure was 558.39±250.17 kcal. SB was directly and significantly associated with Body Mass Index (BMI) (r=0.628, P<0.001) and Mass of Body Fat (MBF) (r=0.347, P<0.001). In addition, our results revealed an inverse and significant correlation between MVPA with BMI (r=-0.849, P<0.001) and MBF (r=-0.716, P<0.001). Finally, the children who did meet the MVPA guideline had significantly lower BMI (t=-3.781, P<0.001) and MBF (t=4.892, P<0.001) and higher Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM) (t=4.209, P<0.001) than those who did not meet the MVPA guideline.
Conclusions:
These findings suggested that vigorous PA and SB play a role in controlling children's adiposity, highlighting the importance of engaging children in high-intensity PA and reducing SB.
