Longitudinal physical activity patterns and the development of cardiometabolic risk factors during adolescence

Abstract

PurposeTo examine the associations between longitudinal physical activity (PA) patterns and the development of cardiometabolic risk factors from adolescence to young adulthood.MethodsThis cohort study encompassed 250 participants recruited from sports clubs and schools, and examined at mean age 15 and 19. Device‐measured moderate‐to‐vigorous PA was grouped into five patterns (via a data‐driven method, using inactivity maintainers as a reference). The outcomes were: glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI). Linear growth curve models were applied with adjustment for sex, age, fruit/vegetable consumption, cigarette/snuff use, and change in the device wear‐time.ResultsInsulin and BMI increased among decreasers from moderate to low PA (β for insulin 0.23, 95% CI 0.03–0.46; β for BMI 0.90; CI 0.02–1.78). The concentration of HDL cholesterol decreased (β −0.18, CI −0.31 to −0.05) and that of glucose increased (β 0.18, CI 0.02–0.35) among decreasers from high to moderate PA. By contrast, among increasers, blood pressure declined (systolic β −6.43, CI −12.16 to −0.70; diastolic β −6.72, CI −11.03 to −2.41).ConclusionsAlready during the transition to young adulthood, changes in PA are associated with changes in cardiometabolic risk factors. Favorable blood pressure changes were found among PA increasers. Unfavorable changes in BMI, insulin, glucose, and HDL cholesterol were found in groups with decreasing PA. The changes were dependent on the baseline PA and the magnitude of the PA decline.

Physical activity has decreased in Finnish children and adolescents from 2016 to 2022

“…Changes in PA levels are associated with changes in cardiometabolic risk factors [ 22 ]. Decreased PA is associated with unfavorable changes in body mass index, insulin, glucose, and high-density cholesterol [ 22 ].…”

“…Changes in PA levels are associated with changes in cardiometabolic risk factors [ 22 ]. Decreased PA is associated with unfavorable changes in body mass index, insulin, glucose, and high-density cholesterol [ 22 ]. Although decreasing PA observed in the present study is based on cross-sectional population-level findings, it may reflect unfavorable changes in corresponding health indicators as reported by Aira et al [ 22 ].…”

“…Decreased PA is associated with unfavorable changes in body mass index, insulin, glucose, and high-density cholesterol [ 22 ]. Although decreasing PA observed in the present study is based on cross-sectional population-level findings, it may reflect unfavorable changes in corresponding health indicators as reported by Aira et al [ 22 ]. Maintenance of high PA levels, especially MVPA, in young adulthood, is a critical point for maintaining metabolic health later in adulthood [ 23 ].…”