Activity–Inactivity Patterns, Screen Time, and Physical Activity: The Association with Overweight, Central Obesity and Muscle Strength in Polish Teenagers. Report from the ABC of Healthy Eating Study

Abstract

Today, the time spent actively is increasingly being replaced by screen-based media, although in some teenagers, a high level of physical activity (PA) and longer time spent in front of a screen (screen time, ST) may coexist as a mixed behavioral pattern. This study aimed to examine the association of the pattern created as activity (low/high ST with high PA) and inactivity patterns (low/high ST with low PA) with overweight, central obesity, and muscle strength in Polish teenagers taking into consideration socioeconomic and demographic factors. Cross-sectional data were collected from elementary school children (n = 1567), aged 11–13 years. Height, weight, waist circumference, and handgrip strength were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as the overweight measure, and the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was calculated as the central obesity measure. Data on ST, PA, socioeconomic status, demographics, and nutrition knowledge were collected by a questionnaire. Activity–inactivity patterns were defined by an a priori approach. Multivariate logistic regression modelling was applied. The most active pattern (lowST-highPA) was found in 17% of the total sample. Teenagers with the most inactive pattern (highST-lowPA) had over four times higher chance of general overweight. No association between WHtR ≥0.5 and highST-highPA pattern was found. Higher muscle strength (>1 SD) was associated only with high physical activity. Urban residence or lower socioeconomic status increased adherence to the most inactive pattern. From a public health perspective, implementing interventions promoting active patterns in 11–13-year-old teenagers is important for obesity prevention and enhanced physical fitness, especially in girls, teenagers living in urban areas, and from families with lower socio-economic status.

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors (Screen Time and Homework) Among Overweight or Obese Adolescents Before The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study in Yazd, Iran

“…However, independent of PA, an increased chance of overweight or obesity was associated with ST but not total SB time among Irish students aged 8-11 years (21). In line with the present results, Górnicka et al (11) illustrated that higher PA reverses the trend of overweight.…”

“…Attention to active transport is so important due to its role in expending a large amount of energy (14). As the previous studies and the present study emphasized, the risk factors of obesity, were varied based on age, race, country, SES, parents' education levels, and gender (11).…”

“…Polish adolescents (11-13 years) revealed that only 17% of them had the most active pattern (both low ST and high PA) with higher adherence in the boys. Low PA (regardless of ST) was associated with overweight or central obesity (11).…”

“…However, the previous studies have pointed out the unfavorable impacts of physical inactivity and SB on the weight status among adolescents around the world, physical inactivity SB were affected by socioeconomic status, gender, race/ethnicity, and geographic characteristics, and age (4,(9)(10)(11)(12). Therefore, it seems necessary to conduct the studies in each region.…”

Bone Mineral Density in Adolescent Boys: Cross-Sectional Observational Study

“…Furthermore, in children in the prepubescent period, a relationship between fat tissue and bone growth stimulation has been sought and a positive relationship between fat mass and bone mass was established [ 20 ]. Low PA was associated with a higher chance of overweight and central obesity [ 21 ]. As the influence of adipose tissue on BMD is not clear and the PA in adolescents promotes lower body fat [ 22 ], searching for the effect of specific activities on bone status seems to be justified.…”