Advisor(s)
Paula Chandler-Laney
Harshvardhan Singh
Committee Member(s)
Camille Worthington
Gregory Pavela
W Timothy Garvey
School
School of Health Professions
Document Type
Dissertation
Department (new version)
Nutrition Sciences
Date of Award
10-29-2024
Abstract
Childhood obesity is a significant health problem in the United States with consequences presenting themselves in the short- and long-term. Physical activity is a modifiable factor associated with adiposity and can at least partially attenuate the consequences of childhood obesity. There are many factors which influence children’s participation in regular physical activity, some of which are also associated with pediatric obesity. The overarching purpose of this research is to investigate potential influences on the association of obesity and physical activity among typically developing children. Aim 1 used a secondary analysis of n=163 children to explore independent and interactive effects of children’s risk for obesity, based on maternal weight and gestational diabetes status, and children’s current weight status on children’s physical activity. Our results suggest that children’s current weight status, rather than their predisposition for obesity, is associated with time spent being physically active. Predisposition for obesity was informative, however, about the benefits of physical activity, with the association of physical activity with adiposity and insulin resistance being stronger for children with high risk for obesity. Using a subset of children (n=23) from Aim1, Aim 2 longitudinally investigated whether physical activity at baseline was associated with changes in adiposity and insulin resistance. Results from this analysis suggest that time spent being physically active at 4-10 years of age (baseline) is not predictive of subsequent changes in adiposity or insulin resistance 4 years later. Aim 3 explored relationships of adiposity with neuromuscular performance skills which are needed to proficiently engage in physical activity. These data found that adiposity was associated with poorer dynamic balance and, functional mobility, as well as with less musculotendinous stiffness, which in turn may contribute to poorer balance and mobility. Taken together these findings suggest that adiposity may influence physical activity, and the skills necessary for activity, but this study does not support the converse, that physical activity may prospectively contribute to obesity. If these results are corroborated by future studies, this research suggests that interventions to increase physical activity should target children with high risk for obesity and potentially begin with strategies to improve neuromuscular performance. Keywords: pediatrics, physical activity, balance, insulin resistance, adiposity
ProQuest ID
Recommended Citation
Moore, Bethany, "Child Risk for Obesity and Physical Activity" (2024). All ETDs from UAB. 7558.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/7558
