Leisure-time physical activity and cardiometabolic risk among children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) on cardiometabolic risk by nutritional status in Mexican children and adolescents. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study conducted with 1,309 participants aged between 5 and 17 years. Nutritional status was classified according to the BMI Z-score by age and gender. A previously validated questionnaire was used to evaluate LTPA; a cardiometabolic risk score was calculated. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to assess the effect of LTPA on cardiometabolic risk. RESULTS After adjusting for risk factors, mild LTPA were positively associated with cardiometabolic risk score (βMildvsIntenseLTPA: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.18 to 1.18; pfortrend = 0.007). This association became stronger when estimated for overweight (β MildvsIntenseLTPA: 1.24; 95% CI: 0.24 to 2.24; pfortrend = 0.015) and obese participants (β MildvsIntenseLTPA: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.07 to 1.97; pfortrend= 0.045). CONCLUSION Mild LTPA was positively associated with cardiometabolic risk in overweight and obese children and adolescents. Given the emerging childhood obesity epidemic in Mexico, these results may be useful in the design of strategies and programs to increase physical activity levels in order to achieve better health.