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.

Food and macronutrient intake of elite kenyan distance runners.

The food and macronutrient intake of elite Kenyan runners was compared to recommendations for endurance athletes. Estimated energy intake (EI: 2987 +/- 293 kcal; mean +/- standard deviation) was lower than energy expenditure (EE: 3605 +/- 119 kcal; P < 0.001) and body mass (BM: 58.9 +/- 2.7 kg vs. 58.3 +/- 2.6 kg; P < 0.001) was reduced over the 7-d intense training period. Diet was high in carbohydrate (76.5%, 0.4 g/kg BM per day) and low in fat (13.4 %). Protein intake (10.1 %; 1.3 g/kg BM per day) matched recommendations for protein intake. Fluid intake was modest and mainly in the form of water (1113 +/- 269 mL; 0.34 +/- 0.16 mL/kcal) and tea (1243 +/- 348 mL). Although the diet met most recommendations for endurance athletes for macronutrient intake, it remains to be determined if modifying energy balance and fluid intake will enhance the performance of elite Kenyan runners.