Longitudinal physical activity patterns and the development of cardiometabolic risk factors during adolescence

Abstract

PurposeTo examine the associations between longitudinal physical activity (PA) patterns and the development of cardiometabolic risk factors from adolescence to young adulthood.MethodsThis cohort study encompassed 250 participants recruited from sports clubs and schools, and examined at mean age 15 and 19. Device‐measured moderate‐to‐vigorous PA was grouped into five patterns (via a data‐driven method, usinginactivity maintainersas a reference). The outcomes were:glucose,insulin,homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA‐IR),total cholesterol,HDL and LDL cholesterol,triglycerides,blood pressure, andbody mass index(BMI). Linear growth curve models were applied with adjustment for sex, age, fruit/vegetable consumption, cigarette/snuff use, and change in the device wear‐time.ResultsInsulin and BMI increased amongdecreasers from moderate to low PA(βfor insulin 0.23, 95% CI 0.03–0.46;βfor BMI 0.90; CI 0.02–1.78). The concentration of HDL cholesterol decreased (β−0.18, CI −0.31 to −0.05) and that of glucose increased (β0.18, CI 0.02–0.35) amongdecreasers from high to moderate PA. By contrast, amongincreasers, blood pressure declined (systolicβ−6.43, CI −12.16 to −0.70; diastolicβ−6.72, CI −11.03 to −2.41).ConclusionsAlready during the transition to young adulthood, changes in PA are associated with changes in cardiometabolic risk factors. Favorable blood pressure changes were found among PAincreasers. Unfavorable changes in BMI, insulin, glucose, and HDL cholesterol were found in groups with decreasing PA. The changes were dependent on the baseline PA and the magnitude of the PA decline.