Fitness Mediates Activity and Sedentary Patterns Associations with Adiposity in Youth

Purpose We aimed to examine the cross-sectional associations of patterns of sedentary time (ST) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with total fat mass index (FMI) and abdominal FMI (FMIabd) in children, and additionally, to analyze if cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) mediated these associations. Methods Fat mass index and FMIabd were assessed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 333 participants (172 girls) age 9 to 11 yr. MVPA, ST, breaks in ST per sedentary hour (BST/ST) and the number of daily sedentary bouts with various lengths (1–4, 5–9, 10–14, and ≥15 min) were assessed with accelerometry and CRF using a maximal cycle test. Hayes' PROCESS macro for SPSS was used for mediation analysis. Results The number of shorter sedentary bouts (1–4 min) was inversely associated with FMI (β = −0.108), whereas longer sedentary bouts (5–9 min, β = 0.169; 10–14 min, β = 0.193; ≥15 min, β = 0.377) had a positive association, independent of MVPA (P 0.05). Cardiorespiratory fitness was inversely related to total and abdominal adiposity, and a large portion (40.9–65.7%) of the associations of MVPA and sedentary bouts with both FMI and FMIabd were mediated by CRF. Conclusions Time in MVPA and accumulating ST in shorter sedentary bouts is inversely related to adiposity. However, these associations may be mediated by CRF. Emphasis should be given to programs that target increases in MVPA, which may influence CRF while reducing sedentary recreational behaviors.

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