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Energy balance in adolescent girls: The trial of activity for adolescent girls cohort
Author(s) -
Cohen Deborah A.,
GhoshDastidar Bonnie,
Conway Terry L.,
Evenson Kelly R.,
Rodriguez Daniel A.,
Beckman Robin,
Elder John P.,
Pickrel Julie,
Lytle Leslie
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.20536
Subject(s) - percentile , medicine , physical activity , cohort , demography , body mass index , cohort study , prospective cohort study , physical therapy , gerontology , statistics , mathematics , sociology
Objectives To study correlates of change in BMI percentile and body fat among adolescent girls. Methods A longitudinal prospective study following 265 girls from the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG) cohort measured in 8th grade and during 10 and 11th grade or 11th and 12th grade. Twice during 2009‐2011 girls wore an accelerometer and completed a food frequency questionnaire and 7‐day diary documenting trips and food eaten away from home and school. Physical activity, BMI, and percent body fat were objectively measured at each time point. Results Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) declined, but the change was not independently associated with changes in BMI percentile. Increased vigorous physical activity was associated with reductions in body fat. Diet was associated with both changes in BMI percentile and body fat. Girls who increased the percentage of caloric intake from snacks and desserts reduced their BMI percentile and body fat. Conclusions Some relationships between energy balance behaviors and BMI and body composition were counter‐intuitive. While it is plausible that vigorous physical activity would result in reductions of body fat, until more accurate methods are devised to measure diet, the precise contribution of dietary composition to health will be difficult to assess.