Dietary intake, physical activity and muscle strength among adolescents: the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team (MyHeART) study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine the role of dietary intake and physical activity in muscle strength among adolescents.DesignCross-sectional analysis.SettingThe Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team (MyHeART) study.ParticipantsFifteen-year-old secondary school children who have given consent and who participated in the MyHeART study in 2014.Primary outcome measureMuscle strength was measured in relation to dietary intake (energy and macronutrients) and physical activity by using a hand grip dynamometer.ResultsAmong the 1012 participants (395 male; 617 female), the hand grip strength of the males was higher than that of the females (27.08 kg vs 18.63 kg; p<0.001). Also, males were more active (2.43vs2.12; p<0.001) and consumed a higher amount of energy (2047 kcal vs 1738 kcal; p<0.001), carbohydrate (280.71 g vs 229.31 g; p<0.001) and protein (1.46 g/kg body weight (BW) vs 1.35 g/kg BW; p<0.168). After controlling for ethnicity, place of residency and body mass index, there was a positive relationship between hand grip strength and the intake of energy (r=0.14; p=0.006), carbohydrate (r=0.153; p=0.002) and fat (r=0.124; p=0.014) and the physical activity score (r=0.170; p=0.001) and a negative relationship between hand grip strength and the intake of protein (r=−0.134; p=0.008), for males. However, this was not observed among females.ConclusionsEnergy, carbohydrate and fat intakes and physical activity score were positively correlated with hand grip strength while protein intake was negatively correlated with hand grip strength in males but not in females.

Analysis of Hand-Forearm Anthropometric Components in Assessing Handgrip and Pinch Strengths of School-Aged Children and Adolescents: A Partial Least Squares (PLS) Approach

“…It is interesting to note that the hand strengths differences between the dominant and non-dominant hands were generally similar in boys and girls studied. The present finding is consistent with previous study performed by Ng et al (2019) who reported that there is almost similar strength difference between the dominant and non-dominant hands of boys and girls (60). The percentage differences between the two sides can be calculated and used to determine the degree of rehabilitation required.…”

Association between Dietary Patterns and Handgrip Strength: Analysis of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data Between 2014 and 2017

“…In a study of in 1086 adolescents, McNaughton et al showed that a dietary pattern rich in fruit, salad, cereals, and fish might be associated with lower diastolic BP in adolescents [ 25 ]. Moreover, recent studies showed that greater HGS is associated with longitudinal health maintenance and health improvements in adolescents [ 26 ]; in addition, Ng et al reported that low HGS could serve as a prognostic indicator of cardiometabolic risk and could help to identify adolescents who would benefit most from lifestyle interventions to improve muscular fitness [ 26 ]. Remarkably, our results agree with those of the aforementioned studies.…”

Association between dietary patterns and handgrip strength: analysis of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data between 2014 and 2017

“…showed that a dietary pattern rich in fruit, salad, cereals, and fish might be associated with diastolic BP in 1,086 adolescents. (27) Moreover, recent studies showed that greater HGS is associated with longitudinal health maintenance and health improvements in adolescents (28); in addition, the author reported that low HGS could serve as a prognostic indicator of cardiometabolic risk and to identify adolescents who would benefit most from lifestyle interventions to improve muscular fitness. (28) Remarkably, our results agree with those of the aforementioned studies.…”

“…(27) Moreover, recent studies showed that greater HGS is associated with longitudinal health maintenance and health improvements in adolescents (28); in addition, the author reported that low HGS could serve as a prognostic indicator of cardiometabolic risk and to identify adolescents who would benefit most from lifestyle interventions to improve muscular fitness. (28) Remarkably, our results agree with those of the aforementioned studies. However, in the present study, the additional evaluation of HGSWR deepened the investigation of muscle quality; besides, HGSWR seems to be also associated with dietary intake of adolescents, especially with the ready-toeat dietary pattern.…”