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Decreased external skeletal robustness due to reduced physical activity?
Author(s) -
Rietsch Katrin,
Eccard Jana A.,
Scheffler Christiane
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
american journal of human biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.559
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1520-6300
pISSN - 1042-0533
DOI - 10.1002/ajhb.22389
Subject(s) - body mass index , obesity , medicine , body fat percentage , physical activity , robustness (evolution) , demography , endocrinology , physical therapy , biology , biochemistry , gene , sociology
Objectives Childhood obesity is a global problem, e.g., due to physical inactivity. External skeletal robustness (Frame‐Index) has decreased in German schoolchildren. An association between Frame‐Index and physical activity was assumed. Further often body mass index (BMI) is analyzed without reference to bone structure. Therefore, we analyze relationships between Frame‐Index, BMI, % body fat, and physical activity. Methods In a cross‐sectional study, 691 German children aged 6–10 years were investigated. BMI, % body fat, Frame‐Index, total steps p.w., sports club rate p.w., training time p.d., and TV‐time p.d. were determined. Results Total steps ( P < 0.001), BMI ( P < 0.001), and % body fat ( P = 0.024) are positively linked to Frame‐Index. Total steps ( P < 0.001), sports club rate ( P = 0.001), and training time ( P < 0.001) are negatively associated with % body fat. Total steps ( P = 0.017) are negatively linked to BMI. TV‐time is positively related to BMI ( P < 0.001) and % body fat ( P < 0.001). % Body fat is affected by age ( P < 0.001), sex ( P = 0.028), and total steps ( P = 0.002). BMI is influenced by age ( P < 0.001), and Frame‐Index by sex ( P < 0.001) and total steps ( P = 0.029). Principal component analysis indicates an association between BMI and TV‐time and Frame‐Index and total steps. Conclusions We demonstrate an association between external skeletal robustness and physical activity, which is not captured by in BMI measurements. Children should be physically active in order to maintain skeletal robustness. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 25:404–410, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.