Diet, Activity and Sleep Clusters Associated With Obesity Markers of Children in the US‐Affiliated Pacific

TL;DR

This study identifies lifestyle patterns in children in the US-Affiliated Pacific and finds that certain diet, activity, and sleep behaviors are linked to lower obesity markers.

Contribution

The study introduces distinct lifestyle clusters and their associations with obesity markers in children from a specific region.

Findings

Among 2–5-year-old boys, clusters with high physical activity and sleep had lower BMI z-scores.

For 6–8-year-old girls, clusters with low sedentary time and high physical activity were linked to lower BMI z-scores.

Longer sleep duration was consistently associated with healthier weight outcomes in both age groups.

Abstract

Among children in the US‐Affiliated Pacific, we aimed to identify lifestyle clusters and associations with obesity.

Movement behaviours, diet and anthropometrics were from the Children's Healthy Living Program (n = 1780; 2012–2015). Partitioning‐around‐medoids identified clusters; regression examined differences in anthropometrics.

Among 2–5‐year‐olds, boys' clusters were: (1) high %energy from (E%) fat and sedentary behaviour; (2) high screen time and energy intake and (3) long sleep. Body mass index z‐score (zBMI) was lower in Cluster 3 versus 1 (−0.28 [−0.50; −0.07], p = 0.01). Girls' clusters were: (1) high energy intake; (2) low E% fat and (3) high physical activity and sleep. zBMI was lower in Cluster 3 versus 1 (−0.34 [−0.55; −0.13], p = 0.002). Among 6–8‐year‐olds, boys' clusters were: (1) high screen time; (2) high energy intake; (3) high E% protein; (4) long sleep and (5) high sedentary time and low E% saturated fat. Compared with Cluster 1, zBMI was lower in Clusters 3 (−0.43 [−0.84; −0.02], p = 0.04), 4 (−0.64 [−1.08; −0.20], p = 0.004) and 5 (−0.93 [−1.35; −0.51], p < 0.001). Girls' clusters were: (1) high E% fat and protein; (2) high screen time and energy intake; (3) short sleep and high physical activity (4) long sleep and (5) low sedentary time. Compared with Cluster 1, zBMI was lower in Clusters 2 (−0.57 [−0.98; −0.17], p = 0.006), 3 (−0.48 [−0.81; −0.14], p = 0.005) and 5 (−0.50 [−0.83; −0.18], p = 0.003).

Various lifestyle patterns support healthy body weight.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01881373

Figures