Active Kids Are Healthier Kids, Even if They Also Are Sedentary

When it comes to obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors in children, duration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity matters more than duration of sedentary behavior.

Both sedentary time and lack of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) are associated with obesity. To determine how much each factor is associated with cardiometabolic risk, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 14 studies, spanning 1998 through 2009, from the International Children's Accelerometry database.

Of the 20,871 children and adolescents (age range, 4–18 years) in the studies, 75% were normal weight, 18% were overweight, and 7% were obese. On average, boys spent 55% more daytime hours engaged in MVPA than girls, and girls spent 5% more daytime hours engaged in a sedentary state than boys.

Sedentary time was inversely and significantly related to MVPA. Total physical activity and MVPA were inversely related to waist circumf…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)