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ABSTRACT: Objective
This population-based study aimed (1) to test the presence of an association between regular voluntary exercise behaviour (EB) that is performed in leisure time and body mass index (BMI) in youth and (2) to investigate the causal nature of this association using a longitudinal design in genetically informative subjects.Design and methods
Both EB and BMI were assessed repeatedly over time in 21?458 twin individuals from the Netherlands Twin Register (47.5% male) - first by parental report (ages 7, 10 and 12) and subsequently through self-report surveys (ages 14, 16 and 18). EB was quantified as weekly metabolic equivalent of task hours.Results
Correlations over time were higher for BMI than for EB (r???0.70 vs. r???0.35) across 12 different follow-up periods. Cross-sectionally, regular involvement in EB was not associated with lower BMI in childhood and in genetically identical twin pairs discordant for EB; the exercising twin did not have a lower BMI than the non-exercising twin. Longitudinally, linear and quadratic relationships between EB and BMI were non-significant. Changes in EB over time did not induce opposite changes in BMI.Conclusions
No consistent association between regular EB and BMI was observed from ages 7 to 18?years.
SUBMITTER: Huppertz C
PROVIDER: S-EPMC5523672 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Huppertz C C Bartels M M van Beijsterveldt C E M CEM Willemsen G G Hudziak J J JJ de Geus E J C EJC
Obesity science & practice 20150915 1
<h4>Objective</h4>This population-based study aimed (1) to test the presence of an association between regular voluntary exercise behaviour (EB) that is performed in leisure time and body mass index (BMI) in youth and (2) to investigate the causal nature of this association using a longitudinal design in genetically informative subjects.<h4>Design and methods</h4>Both EB and BMI were assessed repeatedly over time in 21 458 twin individuals from the Netherlands Twin Register (47.5% male) - first ...[more]