PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY AND BODY-COMPOSITION IN 10-YEAR OLD FRENCH CHILDREN- LINKAGES WITH NUTRITIONAL INTAKE

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationships between physical activity , dietary intake and body composition in children. DESIGN: A cross-sec tional study on physical activity, nutritional intakes and body compos ition conducted in 86 healthy 10 y old French children. In addition, g rowth parameters and nutritional intakes were available from the age o f 10 months. MEASUREMENTS: Physical activity level (using a validated activity questionnaire over the past year), nutritional intake (dietar y history method), anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, a rm circumference, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, Body Mass index ( BMI), arm muscle and arm fat areas calculated from these measurements) at the age of 10 y. Anthropometric measurements and nutritional intak es were recorded in the same children at the age of 10 months and ever y 2 y from the age of 2 y. RESULTS: At the age of 10 y, active childre n ingested significantly more energy than less active children, mostly doe to higher energy intake at breakfast and in the afternoon. This h igher energy intake was accounted for by increased consumption of carb ohydrates (281 g vs 246 g; 49.6% vs 47.4% of total energy). Even if th e amounts of fat consumed were similar in both groups (90 g vs 84 g; P = 0.09), the percentage of fat intake was tower in active children (3 5.4% vs 37.4%; P = 0.04). The percentage of protein was not different (14.9% vs 15.3%; P = 0.33). In spite of a higher energy intake in the active group, active and less active children had similar BMI at the a ge of 10 y. However, their body composition differed significantly: ac tive children had a higher proportion of fat-free mass, a lower propor tion of fat-mass as measured in the arm and they had a later adiposity rebound. Fatness was significantly and positively associated with the time spent watching television and video games. CONCLUSIONS: Physical activity was associated with improved body composition and growth pat tern. This association may be related to nutritional changes: active c hildren consumed more energy by increasing carbohydrate, thus reducing the relative fat content of their diet. These results provide support to encourage physical activity during childhood.