Organised sports participation and adiposity among a cohort of adolescents over a two year period

Abstract

BackgroundOverweight and obesity among young people is alarmingly high. While hundreds of millions of children participate in organised sports worldwide, it is currently unknown whether time spent in organised sports is associated with levels of adiposity among young people. This study aimed to investigate bidirectional associations between participation in organised sports and adiposity over a two year period.MethodData were drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. In total, 4033 participants (51% male) reported time spent in organised sports and had their body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference measured at age 12, and again two years later. A cross-lagged panel model was used to examine bidirectional relationships over time, as well as interaction effects.ResultsTotal sport participation at age 12 was not associated with subsequent BMI-z scores (β = 0.01 [95% CI, -0.02, 0.04]), body fat (β = 0.01 [95% CI, -0.02, 0.03]), or waist circumference (β = -0.01 [95% CI, -0.05, 0.02]). Similarly, measure of adiposity at age 12 were not associated with subsequent sports participation (BMI-z score: β = -0.01 [95% CI, -0.02, 0.04]; body fat percentage: β = -0.02 [95% CI, -0.05, 0.02]; waist circumference: β = -0.01 [95% CI, -0.01, 0.03]). There were no differences in the strength or direction of the relationships by type of sport or by sex (p < .05).ConclusionPolicy and programmatic changes may be needed before organised youth sports are considered a preventative strategy for overweight and obesity. However, a more nuanced understanding of why organised youth sports are not associated with adiposity is needed before evidence-based changes can be made.

Growth Charts for Height, Weight, and BMI (6–18 y) for the Tuscany Youth Sports Population

“…Physical activity intervention is a useful strategy that can reduce the risk of overweight/obesity in children and adolescents up to 18 years [6,7], and participation in an organized sport is a recognized method to obtain a Body Mass Index (BMI) reduction [8,9]. Participation in youth sports has been positively associated with higher levels of physical activity, [10] however to date, the relationship between youth sport participation and overweight/obesity status is not clear [10,11].…”

Decreased Muscle-to-Fat Mass Ratio Is Associated with Low Muscular Fitness and High Alanine Aminotransferase in Children and Adolescent Boys in Organized Sports Clubs

“…The World Health Organization also emphasizes the importance of vigorous or moderate-to-vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise and muscle- and bone-strengthening exercises to prevent metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases [ 32 ]. However, while children and adolescent participation in sports has been linked to higher physical activity levels, it does not necessarily improve obesity [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Vella et al [ 24 ] suggested that leaders and educators should encourage obese children and adolescents to participate in a variety of sports activities.…”

“…However, while children and adolescent participation in sports has been linked to higher physical activity levels, it does not necessarily improve obesity [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Vella et al [ 24 ] suggested that leaders and educators should encourage obese children and adolescents to participate in a variety of sports activities. In view of this, it is probable that each sports club has issues such as unbalanced exercise programs and insufficient intensity.…”

“…Exercise along with nutrition is important for the prevention and management of obesity, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and NAFLD [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. However, performing regular exercise in organized sports clubs does not necessarily lead to a reduction in obesity status (e.g., BMI, body fat, waist circumference) in children and adolescents [ 22 , 23 , 24 ]. Excessive fat accumulation due to obesity and the relative loss of skeletal muscle mass cause decreased muscular fitness.…”

Organized Sport Participation, Physical Activity, Sleep and Screen Time in 16-Year-Old Adolescents

“…In the existing literature, the association between OSP and body fat percentage is inconclusive, although Telford et al (2015) reported a negative association between OSP and body fat percentage measured by DXA only in 8-16-year-old girls [35]. Vella et al (2018) reported no significant association between OSP and body fat percentage, measured by body scale, among 12-year-olds [36]. Not only dichotomizing OSP but also the method used to estimate adiposity may serve as an explanation for the discrepancy reported.…”