Sustained effect of early physical activity on body fat mass in older children

Kathleen F Janz; Soyang Kwon; Elena M Letuchy; Julie M Eichenberger Gilmore; Trudy L Burns; James C Torner; Marcia C Willing; Steven M Levy

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2009.03.012

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Sustained effect of early physical activity on body fat mass in older children

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Sustained effect of early physical activity on body fat mass in older children

Kathleen F Janz, Soyang Kwon, Elena M Letuchy, Julie M Eichenberger Gilmore, Trudy L Burns, James C Torner, Marcia C Willing and Steven M Levy

American journal of preventive medicine, Vol.37(1), pp.35-40

07/2009

DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2009.03.012

PMCID: PMC2760597

PMID: 19423269

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Abstract

Physical activity is assumed to reduce excessive fatness in children. This study examined whether the benefits of early childhood moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on fatness are sustained throughout childhood. MVPA minutes per day (min/d) and fat mass (kilograms; kg) were measured using accelerometry and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in 333 children aged 5, 8, and 11 years who were participating in the Iowa Bone Development Study. Mixed regression models were used to test whether MVPA at age 5 years had an effect on fat mass at age 8 years and age 11 years, after adjustment for concurrent height, weight, age, maturity, and MVPA. The analysis was repeated to control for fat mass at age 5 years. Using mixed-model least-squares means, adjusted means of fat mass at age 8 years and age 11 years were compared between the highest and lowest quartiles of MVPA at age 5 years. Data were collected between 1998 and 2006 and analyzed in 2008. For boys and girls, MVPA at age 5 years was a predictor of adjusted fat mass at age 8 years and age 11 years (p<0.05). In girls, the effect of MVPA at age 5 years was not significant when fat mass at age 5 years was included. Boys and girls in the highest quartile of MVPA at age 5 years had a lower fat mass at age 8 years and age 11 years than children in the lowest MVPA quartile at age 5 years (p<0.05; mean difference 0.85 kg at age 8 years and 1.55 kg at age 11 years). Some effects of early-childhood MVPA on fatness appear to persist throughout childhood. Results indicate the potential importance of increasing MVPA in young children as a strategy to reduce later fat gains.

Body Composition

Body Mass Index

Follow-Up Studies

Anthropometry

Humans

Child, Preschool

Logistic Models

Male

Motor Activity

Absorptiometry, Photon

Iowa

Sex Factors

Monitoring, Physiologic - methods

Female

Exercise - physiology

Child

Details

Title: Subtitle: Sustained effect of early physical activity on body fat mass in older children
Creators: Kathleen F Janz - Department of Health and Sport Studies, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. kathleen-janz@uiowa.edu
Soyang Kwon
Elena M Letuchy
Julie M Eichenberger Gilmore
Trudy L Burns
James C Torner
Marcia C Willing
Steven M Levy
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of preventive medicine, Vol.37(1), pp.35-40
DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2009.03.012
PMID: 19423269
PMCID: PMC2760597
NLM abbreviation: Am J Prev Med
ISSN: 0749-3797
eISSN: 1873-2607
Publisher: Netherlands
Grant note: R01 DE009551-08 / NIDCR NIH HHS M01-RR00059 / NCRR NIH HHS M01 RR000059 / NCRR NIH HHS R01 DE012101-05 / NIDCR NIH HHS R01 DE009551 / NIDCR NIH HHS R01-DE12101 / NIDCR NIH HHS R01-DE09551 / NIDCR NIH HHS UL1 RR024979 / NCRR NIH HHS R01 DE012101 / NIDCR NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 07/2009
Academic Unit: Preventive and Community Dentistry; Epidemiology; Surgery; Injury Prevention Research Center; Neurosurgery; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
Record Identifier: 9983917790702771

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