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Background: The aim of this study was to examine associations of total volume and bouts of sedentary time (ST) and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with physical fitness (PF) in youth. Methods: This was a 2-year follow-up study with 1418 children and adolescents (51.7% boys). Accelerometers were used to assess ST and MVPA. Cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness values were objectively measured and combined in a global PF variable. Weight status was objectively obtained. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the cross-sectional (using scores at baseline) and longitudinal associations (using the change in the variables) of total volume and bouts of ST and MVPA with PF. Results: Total ST was negatively associated with global PF (β = −0.488, P <.001 in cross-sectional analysis; β = −0.234, P =.003 in longitudinal analysis). However, this association was not independent of MVPA. Total volume of MVPA showed a positive association with global PF independently of ST and weight status (β = 0.285, P <.001 in cross-sectional analysis; β = 0.119, P =.001 in longitudinal analysis). Longitudinal associations found between ST and MVPA accumulated in bouts of various lengths and global PF became nonsignificant when their respective total volumes are included in the model. Conclusions: These results underline the need to accumulate minutes of MVPA, regardless of the bout duration, to increase PF levels in youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of polymorphism rs9939609 of the FTO gene has been related with fat mass and cardiovascular risk in adults, but it remains unclear in children and adolescents. Hence, the main aim of this study was to determine the FTO polymorphism effects on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), physical activity (PA), inflammatory markers, and cardiovascular risk both in cross‐sectional analysis and after two‐years of follow‐up in children and adolescents. A total of 2129 participants were included in this study. The rs9939609 polymorphism was genotyped. Body composition measurements, CRF, and moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA) were determined at baseline and after two‐year of follow‐up. Moreover, plasma leptin and adiponectin were also determined as inflammatory markers. Furthermore, an index of cardiovascular disease risk factors (CVDRF‐I) was calculated. Codominant (TT vs. TA vs. AA) and dominant (AA+AT vs. TT) models were applied for statistical analysis. The results showed a main effect of the FTO genotype on body composition measures in both first and third year (p < 0.05), with lower adiposity in TT compared with AA or AA+AT group. These differences were maintained after accounting for pubertal maturity, sex, age, VO2max, and MVPA. Moreover, lower leptin level was observed in TT compared to AA+AT group in the third year. An interaction in Gene*Time*Sex was found in height and neck circumference in dominant model (p = 0.047; p = 0.020, respectively). No differences were found in CRF, MVPA nor CVDRF‐I between groups. Hence, homozygous TT allele could be a protective factor against weight gain from early childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We aimed to analyze the cross‐sectional and longitudinal association of physical activity (PA) levels and PA patterns with metabolic syndrome score (MetS) in children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 175 children (82 females) and 188 adolescents (95 females) were included. Objective PA levels and patterns were determined by accelerometry. MetS was computed from waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and glucose levels. Different linear regression models were implemented to examine the associations of PA with MetS. Results: Vigorous PA, moderate‐vigorous PA, number of bouts per day in 10 min (N10), and total time in bouts per day in 10 min (T10) were negatively associated with MetS in male children and adolescents at cross‐sectional level (β ranging from −0.005 to −0.164, all p < 0.05). Total time in bouts per day in 20 min in male children, and vigorous PA and N10 in female children were longitudinally and negatively associated with MetS (β ranging from −0.011 to −0.247, all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Associations of PA and MetS were observed at cross‐sectional level in males and longitudinally in female children. The associations in PA patterns were found when patterns were grouped into bouts of 10 min. Therefore, for future studies of PA with health markers in the pediatric population, it would be advisable to choose bouts of shorter duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to examine cross-sectional, and longitudinal association of different measures of obesity and physical fitness with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in adolescents with Down syndrome. Longitudinal analysis included 90 adolescents with Down syndrome. Obesity and physical fitness were measured following the ALPHA battery. Blood pressure and blood samplings (glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and serum lipid triglycerides levels (mg/dl) were determinated. In cross-sectional analyses, obesity was positively associated with single CVD risk factors and CVD risk factor index (all p <.05). In the prospective analyses, obesity was not associated with single CVD risk factors, but components of physical fitness at baseline impact in some single CVD risk factors (all p <.05). Obesity might be more strongly related to current cardiovascular-health, while components of physical fitness might be more related to future cardiovascular-health in adolescents with Down syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While there is evidence that physical activity, sedentary behaviour (SB) and sleep may all be associated with modified levels of inflammatory markers in adolescents and children, associations with one movement behaviour have not always been adjusted for other movement behaviours, and few studies have considered all movement behaviours in the 24-hour day as an exposure. Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore how longitudinal reallocations of time between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), SB and sleep are associated with changes in inflammatory markers in children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 296 children/adolescents participated in a prospective cohort study with a 3-year follow-up. MVPA, LPA and SB were assessed by accelerometers. Sleep duration was assessed using the Health Behavior in School-aged Children questionnaire. Longitudinal compositional regression models were used to explore how reallocations of time between movement behaviours are associated with changes in inflammatory markers. Results: Reallocations of time from SB to sleep were associated with increases in C3 levels (difference for 60 min/d reallocation [d60] = 5.29 mg/dl; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.28, 10.29) and TNF-α (d60 = 1.81 mg/dl; 95% CI = 0.79, 15.41) levels. Reallocations from LPA to sleep were also associated with increases in C3 levels (d60 = 8.10 mg/dl; 95% CI = 0.79, 15.41). Reallocations from LPA to any of the remaining time-use components were associated with increases in C4 levels (d60 ranging from 2.54 to 3.63 mg/dl; p < 0.05), while any reallocation of time away from MVPA was associated with unfavourable changes in leptin (d60 ranging from 3088.44 to 3448.07 pg/ml; p < 0.05). Conclusions: Reallocations of time between 24-h movement behaviours are prospectively associated with some inflammatory markers. Reallocating time away from LPA appears to be most consistently unfavourably associated with inflammatory markers. Given that higher levels of inflammation during childhood and adolescence are associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases in adulthood, children and adolescents should be encouraged to maintain or increase the level of LPA to preserve a healthy immune system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study evaluated longitudinal associations between profile transitions of context-specific sedentary behaviour (SB) and changes in academic performance (AP) among school-aged youth. Participants were 466 children and 717 adolescents (50.8% males) aged 8–18 years (children = 7.92 ± 0.41 years; adolescents = 11.85 ± 1.53 years). Non-school SBs and AP were evaluated at baseline and two years later. General linear mixed models were implemented, controlling for age, region, parental education, body mass index, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Cross-sectionally, participants with an Educative-profile (i.e., highest scores in doing homework with/without computer and reading for fun) had higher AP when compared to other profiles. Longitudinally, males who changed from a Screen- to an Educative-profile had higher AP than males who changed from an Educative- to a Social- or Screen-SB profile (p < 0.01). No significant differences were found in females. These findings show the importance of analysing SB patterns from a qualitative perspective (i.e., context-specific for boosting school children AP) and highlighting time spent in educative as the most positive for AP, as well the need to implement interventions to reduce time on screen and social behaviours, especially targeting males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trajectories of physical activity and sedentary time (SED) may differ between subgroups of youth. The aim of this study was to identify group‐based dual trajectories of physical activity and SED and explore individual, social, and environmental correlates of these trajectories. Longitudinal data (three time points, baseline 2011‐2012) of Spanish youth (n = 1597, mean age = 11.94 ± 2.52, 50.9% boys) were used. Moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and SED were assessed objectively at each time point, and 21 potential correlates were self‐reported at baseline. Parallel process growth mixture models identified shared categorical latent groups, adjusting for school and age. Multinomial logistic regression models identified baseline correlates of a given trajectory. Four shared categorical latent groups were identified: (1) stable MVPA and decreasing SED (4%); (2) stable MVPA and increasing SED (3%); (3) consistently higher MVPA (18%); and (4) stable low MVPA and slight increase in SED (75%). Multinomial logistic regression models with group 3 as reference found: negative affect (RRR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.84‐0.97), parental screen‐time rules (RRR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.00‐1.33), and household media equipment (RRR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.05‐1.30) predicted likelihood of group 1 membership; cons of reducing SED (RRR = 2.70, 95% CI 1.77‐4.10) predicted likelihood of group 2 membership; and co‐participation in physical activity with friends (RRR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.69‐0.94), fathers' modeling of TV viewing (RRR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.02‐1.47), and household media equipment (RRR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.02‐1.31) predicted likelihood of group 4 membership. Results suggest that strategies to improve MVPA and SED behaviors among youth may need to be multifaceted, targeting all levels of influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No studies have analyzed the longitudinal associations of change in physical fitness components and obesity with academic performance. The aim of the study was to examine longitudinal associations of changes in physical fitness components and body mass index with academic performance among youth, and whether the physical fitness components are moderators of the longitudinal association between obesity and academic performance in youth. Longitudinal analyses (2 years) included 1802 youths. Physical fitness components were assessed following the ALPHA health‐related fitness test battery. Academic performance was assessed via school records. Youth in the persistently high cardiorespiratory fitness and motor ability categories (ie, fit at baseline and at 2‐year follow‐up) had higher academic performance at follow‐up than those in the persistently low category. Further, youth with normal weight at baseline and overweight/obesity at follow‐up had lower academic performance scores at follow‐up compared to those with normal weight. Also, cardiorespiratory fitness may ameliorate the negative influence of excess body mass index on academic performance at follow‐up. Promoting physical activity programs at school that include both aerobic exercise and motor tasks to improve physical fitness and reduce body mass index may not only improve physical health, but also contribute toward successful academic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to examine the bidirectional association between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and fatness in a 2‐year longitudinal study conducted in young people. A total of 1082 children (512 females) and 727 adolescents (342 females) with complete data at baseline and follow‐up were included. CRF was determined by the 20‐m shuttle run test. Height and weight were measured, and body mass index and fat mass index (kg/m2) were calculated. Triceps and subscapular skinfolds were assessed to compute body fat percentage. Bidirectionality was tested by including CRF and each fatness index as exposures and outcomes, alternatively, in different regression models. CRF was prospectively associated with fatness index levels (ß from −0.186 to −0.528; P <.001), remaining significant in children after adjusting for baseline fatness indices. Fatness indices were prospectively associated with CRF (ß from −0.207 to −0.479; P <.001), with no substantial changes observed in children and female adolescents when baseline CRF was considered. Changes in CRF were prospectively associated with several fatness indices, regardless of body fatness at baseline (ß from −0.062 to −0.220; P <.05). Body fatness changes were associated with future CRF levels, independently of baseline CRF, especially in children of both sexes and male adolescents (ß from −0.079 to −0.260; P <.05). Overall, a bidirectional association was observed between CRF and fatness in children and adolescents. The attainment of optimal CRF and fatness levels in early ages should be promoted since it could result in favorable future fatness and CRF levels, respectively, which are two key determinants of health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to identify profiles of sedentary behaviour (SB) patterns, based on leisure-time self-reported SB modalities (screen, educative, social, and relaxing) and to evaluate changes in these profiles over 2 years among Spanish youth aged 8–18 years. Latent profile analysis (LPA), a data-driven analytic approach, was used to identify groups of boys and girls (n = 1553; 48% girls; mean±SD age: 12.56 ± 2.49 y) with distinct SB profiles using the SB modalities (time/d) as input variables. Latent transition analysis, an extension of LPA that uses longitudinal data, was used to analyse 2-year changes in these profiles. At baseline, four and three SB profiles were found among boys (labelled: screen, educative, social, and relaxing) and girls (labelled: screen/social, educative, and relaxing), respectively. Overall, more girls (range: 48%-67%) had the same profile over time, than boys (40%-52%). Participants with a screen or relaxing SB profile at baseline were more likely to have an educative profile after 2 years. Youth with a social and an educative SB profile at baseline were more likely to transition to profiles characterized by higher screen and social SB, respectively. Using a novel and person-centered approach, this study identified gender-specific SB profiles that were moderately stable over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of the present study were: i) to examine the associations of total accelerometer-based sedentary time (ST) and specific-domain self-reported ST (i.e., screen-based, educational-based, social-based, and other-based ST) with adiposity and physical fitness in youth; and ii) to analyse the mediation effect of physical activity (PA) on associations. This study was conducted with 415 children (9.1 ± 0.4 years) and 853 adolescents (13.6 ± 1.6 years) in Spain during 2011-2012. Total ST and PA were assessed by accelerometry. Leisure-time spent in twelve sedentary behaviours was self-reported. Adiposity and physical fitness was measured following the ALPHA battery for youth. Total accelerometer-based ST was positively associated with global adiposity score in children, and negatively associated with global physical fitness score in children and adolescents; but relationships were not independent of PA. PA mediated all associations of accelerometer-based and self-reported ST with adiposity or physical fitness in children. Conversely, screen-, educational-, social-, and other-based ST were negatively related to physical fitness in adolescents, independently of PA. These findings give an impetus to developing effective strategies for specifically promoting PA in children and for increasing PA while reducing ST in adolescents in order to produce improvements on adiposity and physical fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed (a) to examine changes in physical activity (PA) during the whole day, school hours, recess, and physical education classes (PEC) during a 2‐year period in primary and secondary students; (b) to identify changes in the proportion of compliance with specific PA recommendations for these periods; and (c) to examine whether PA levels at baseline are associated with PA levels 2 years later. Eight hundred and fourteen (51.8% boys) children and 658 (50.1% boys) adolescents from 41 Spanish schools participated in the study. Hip‐worn accelerometers were used to assess PA during different time periods. Light PA (LPA) declined during the whole day, school hours, recess (all P < 0.001, except child girls for recess), and PEC (all, P < 0.05) in children and adolescents. Moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA) during the whole day and recess declined in child boys (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively) and adolescent boys (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). MVPA during PEC declined in adolescent boys (P < 0.001) and adolescent girls (all P < 0.05). The proportion of compliance with the specific PA recommendations for these periods declined (P < 0.05), except for PEC in adolescent girls. PA during the whole day at baseline was moderately associated with PA during the whole day years later (ICCs = 0.210‐0.544, with one exception), but this association was lower for the school‐based PA. In conclusion, time spent in MVPA and LPA during the whole day and recess declined over time in child and adolescent boys and during PEC in adolescents. These findings highlight the need to promote PA interventions in these settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the association between high-quality diet (using the Mediterranean diet (MD) as an example) and well-being cross-sectionally and prospectively in Spanish children and adolescents. Participants included 533 children and 987 adolescents at baseline and 527 children and 798 adolescents at 2-year follow-up, included in the UP&DOWN study (follow-up in schoolchildren and adolescents with and without Down's syndrome). The present study excluded participants with Down's syndrome. Adherence to an MD was assessed using the KIDMED index. Well-being was measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and the KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. Associations between MD adherence and well-being were assessed using multi-level, mixed-effects linear regression. At baseline, MD adherence was positively related to health-related quality of life in secondary school girls and boys (β =0·41, se 0·10, P <0·001; β =0·46, se 0·10, P <0·001, respectively) and to positive affect in secondary school girls and boys (β =0·16, se 0·05, P =0·006; β =0·20, se 0·05, P <0·001, respectively) and in primary school boys (β =0·20, se 0·08, P =0·019). At 2-year follow-up, MD adherence was negatively related to negative affect in secondary school adolescent girls and boys (β =–0·15, se 0·07, P =0·047; β =–0·16, se 0·06, P =0·019, respectively), and MD adherence was associated with higher positive affect scores in secondary school girls (β =0·30, se 0·06, P <0·001) and in primary school boys (β =0·20, se 0·09, P =0·023). However, MD adherence at baseline did not predict well-being indicators at 2-year follow-up. In conclusion, higher MD adherence was found to behave as a protective factor for positive well-being in cross-sectional analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of the present study were to assess the association of environmental perception with objective and self-reported physical activity (PA) and the relation between environmental perception and meeting PA recommendations on children and adolescents. A sample of 1520 youth (770 boys) aged 8-18 years (12.1 ±2.5 years) from the UP&DOWN study were included in the data analyses. Environmental perception was assessed with the short adapted version of the ALPHA environmental questionnaire. PA was objectively (accelerometers) and self-reported measured (PA Questionnaire for Children, Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise Questionnaire and Finnish PA Index). Linear regression models were used to assess the association of environmental perception with PA. Bivariate logistic regression models were used to assess differences between environmental perception and meeting PA recommendations. Environmental perception was positively associated with both objective and self-reported PA. Some differences were found in the association of environmental perception and PA between sex- and age-specific groups. Youth who perceived a more favourable environment were more likely to meet PA recommendations (at least 60 min . day-1 of moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA)). Results suggest that environmental perceptions of children and adolescents may play an important role in achieving higher levels of PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the association of maternal physical activity before and during pregnancy with academic performance in youth. Methods: This study included 1868 youth (6–18 years) and their mothers. Mothers recalled their physical activity before and during pregnancy. Mothers were categorized into four groups: “remained active”, “became inactive”, “became active” and “remained inactive”. Academic performance was assessed through school records. Results: Boys whose mothers practiced physical activity before or during pregnancy had significantly higher scores in academic performance indicators independently of physical activity, fitness, current body mass index (BMI) and birthweight than those whose mothers did not practice physical activity before or during pregnancy (allp < 0.05). In addition, boys whose mothers remained active had higher scores in all academic indicators (ranging from +0.358 to +0.543) than boys whose mothers remained inactive. Boys whose mothers remained active had higher scores in Language (score +0.546; 95% CI, 0.150–0.940), average of Math and Language (score +0.468; 95% CI, 0.100–0.836) and grade point average (GPA) (score +0.368; 95% CI, 0.092–0.644) than boys whose mothers became active. Conclusions: Maternal physical activity before and during pregnancy may positively influence youth's academic performance. Continuing maternal physical activity practice during pregnancy may have greater benefits for youth's academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The current study aimed at analyzing the associations between latent transitions based on sedentary time and physical activity levels and changes in Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), positive affect, and negative affect over two years in children and adolescents. Longitudinal design. Participants were 1099 children and adolescents (544 girls) aged 8–18 years old (11.72 ± 2.39 years). Sedentary and physical activity levels were assessed by accelerometry. Well-being was approached through self-reported HRQoL, positive affect, and negative affect. Latent profile and latent transition analysis were developed at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Furthermore, we analyzed the cross-sectional relationship between lifestyle profiles and well-being, as well as the associations between profiles transitions and changes in well-being indicators. Four profiles were identified at both time-points, respectively: highly sedentary (7.7% and 8.3%), sedentary (34.4% and 35.9%), active (46.3% and 44.3%), and highly active (11.6% and 11.5%). Participants belonging to the highly active profiles showed better HRQL (p < 0.05 at both timepoints) than sedentary participants, and better positive affect (p < 0.05 at follow-up) than those in sedentary and active profiles. Lifestyle profiles were unstable to moderate stable, where sedentary and active profiles were the most stable patter (63.7% and 61.9%, respectively), and highly sedentary and highly active were the least (34.1% and 38.3%, respectively). Changing from an active to a sedentary profile was associated with a significantly greater decrease on the positive affect than keeping on active or changed from a sedentary to an active profile, whereas changing to an active profile attenuated the decrease in HRQoL. This study identified lifestyle profiles transitions among young population, and demonstrates the importance of these behaviors patterns on well-being indicators. These findings suggest the development of practical interventions aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles (i.e., increasing PA and reducing ST) in those youth with sedentary profiles, which will cause an increase on feelings of well-being. • Four profiles were found (highly sedentary, sedentary, active, and highly active). • Active profiles were associated with better HRQoL and positive affect. • Lifestyle profiles were unstable to moderate stable, ranging from 34.1% to 63.7%. • Changing to a sedentary profile caused a greater decrease on positive affect. • Changing to an active profile attenuated the decrease in HRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]