The dangers of inactivity in children just became more grave. A study published in Dynamic Medicine
(2008; 7 [5]) has found that sedentary kids, compared with their active
counterparts, are five times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome
by their teenage years. For kids with “low aerobic fitness,” the risk is
six times as high.
The authors analyzed data collected from 389 North Carolina adolescents
aged 7–10 years. Qualified professionals measured the subjects’ body
mass index, percent body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol. Levels of
physical activity were either self-reported or estimated through use of a
“multistage” submaximal cycle ergometry test. The researchers then
followed up with participants 7 years after the initial results were
gathered. Eighteen from the original group presented with at least three
characteristics of metabolic syndrome; these teenagers reported higher
body fat, body mass, cholesterol and systolic blood pressure levels than
the other participants. Further, those with the disease characteristics
had scored low physical activity ratings at the outset. “We found that
adolescents with the [disease] were five times more likely to have low
physical activity levels as children,” stated the authors. “Furthermore,
our mean physical activity data suggest that in those youth who have
the [disease], low physical activity levels can persist from childhood
into adolescence.” The authors concluded that increasing physical
activity among youth could reduce the risk of developing metabolic
syndrome later in life.
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