Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: Independent Associations With Body Composition Variables in Brazilian Children

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the independent associations of accelerometer-determined sedentary behavior, physical activity, and steps/day with body composition variables in Brazilian children. 485 children wore accelerometers for 7 days. Variables included time in sedentary behavior and different physical activity intensities (light, moderate, vigorous, or moderate-to-vigorous) and steps/day. Body fat percentage was measured using a bioelectrical impedance scale, and BMI was calculated. Children spent 55.7% of the awake portion of the day in sedentary behavior, 37.6% in light physical activity, 4.6% in moderate physical activity, and 1.9% in vigorous physical activity. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and steps/day were negatively associated with body composition (BMI and body fat percentage) variables, independent of sex and sedentary behavior. Beta values were higher for vigorous physical activity than moderate physical activity. Vigorous physical activity was negatively associated with BMI (β-.1425) and body fat percentage (β-.3082; p < .0001). In boys, there were significant negative associations between moderate, vigorous, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and steps/day with body composition, and in girls, there was only a negative association with vigorous physical activity, independent of sedentary behavior. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and steps/day (in boys), but especially vigorous physical activity (in boys and girls), are associated with body composition, independent of sedentary behavior. Sedentary behavior was not related with any of the body composition variables once adjusted for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Overweight, obesity, steps, and moderate to vigorous physical activity in children

“…Evidence shows negative association between steps/day and MVPA (objectively measured) and adiposity 6 , 11 , 12 . Several research studies 6 , 12 , 13 have found negative relationship between steps/day and BMI and body fat percentage (%BF).…”

“…The use of accelerometers has become more common in research studies on physical activity in childhood in high-income countries 3 , 5 . On the other hand, there are relatively few studies that have used this technology in low-and middle-income countries, such as Brazil 6 .…”

Fitness, cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors: A correlational study

“…In fact, evidence has substantially supported these associations (Ferrari et al, 2015;Nemet, 2016). In children from many countries, greater MVPA and VPA were both associated with lower odds of obesity, independently of SB (Nemet, 2016).…”

“…Moreover, higher PA levels were consistently associated with an improved metabolic profile and a reduced risk for metabolic syndrome and/or insulin resistance (IR) (Guinhouya, Samouda, Zitouni, Vilhelm, & Hubert, 2011). Inverse associations between obesity and PA were also highlighted (Ferrari et al, 2015;Nemet, 2016). Among normal weight youth, those with relatively high levels of PA tend to have less adiposity than youth with low PA levels (CDC, 2008).…”

Effects of a 12-week-long program of vigorous-intensity physical activity on the body composition of 6-and 7-year-old children

“…However, De Moraes et al (2015) examined the associations between physical activity and body composition in 485 Brazilian children and found that both moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous physical activity was negatively associated with body composition (BMI and body fat percentage) variables. Duncan et al (2006) also found a link between physical activity and body fat in 1115 children from New Zealand (536 boys, 579 girls) aged 5-12 years, like has been observed in the present paper.…”