The adiposity of children is associated with their lifestyle behaviours: a cluster analysis of school-aged children from 12 nations.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between children's adiposity and lifestyle behaviour patterns is an area of growing interest.


OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are to identify clusters of children based on lifestyle behaviours and compare children's adiposity among clusters.


METHODS
Cross-sectional data from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment were used.


PARTICIPANTS
the participants were children (9-11 years) from 12 nations (n = 5710).


MEASURES
24-h accelerometry and self-reported diet and screen time were clustering input variables. Objectively measured adiposity indicators were waist-to-height ratio, percent body fat and body mass index z-scores.


ANALYSIS
sex-stratified analyses were performed on the global sample and repeated on a site-wise basis. Cluster analysis (using isometric log ratios for compositional data) was used to identify common lifestyle behaviour patterns. Site representation and adiposity were compared across clusters using linear models.


RESULTS
Four clusters emerged: (1) Junk Food Screenies, (2) Actives, (3) Sitters and (4) All-Rounders. Countries were represented differently among clusters. Chinese children were over-represented in Sitters and Colombian children in Actives. Adiposity varied across clusters, being highest in Sitters and lowest in Actives.


CONCLUSIONS
Children from different sites clustered into groups of similar lifestyle behaviours. Cluster membership was linked with differing adiposity. Findings support the implementation of activity interventions in all countries, targeting both physical activity and sedentary time.
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D061725:Accelerometry D050154:Adiposity D015992:Body Mass Index D002648:Child D002652:Child Behavior D016000:Cluster Analysis D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D015444:Exercise D005260:Female D006801:Humans D038622:Internationality D008297:Male D063766:Pediatric Obesity D057185:Sedentary Behavior D057566:Self Report
Lifestyle behaviours obesity diet compositional analysis