Central adiposity and associated lifestyle factors in Cree children

Abstract

Aboriginal children are prone to central adiposity (CA), a component of the metabolic syndrome. The objective of this study was to determine if lifestyle factors were associated with CA in Canadian Cree children. Children aged 9–12 years were classified as having CA if their waist circumference met or exceeded the 85th percentile of the NHANES III reference. Weight status was determined using the CDC growth reference, dietary intake using three 24 h dietary recalls, physical activity using pedometers, and fitness by completion of the 20 m shuttle run test. Of the 178 children (79% participation rate), 32.6% were normal weight, 23.6% were overweight, and 43.8% were obese. Half (52.2%) of the children had CA (97.4% of obese children, 35.7% of overweight children, and 2.2% of normal weight children). Waist circumference was negatively correlated with pedometer step counts (r = –0.187, p = 0.012) and shuttle run time (r = –0.508, p < 0.001). In children with CA, waist circumference was positively correlated with sweetened beverage intake (r = 0.250, p = 0.016). The odds ratio (adjusted for age and sex) for CA for children consuming 3 or more fruits and vegetables per day was 0.43 (95% CI 0.18 – 0.98), for meeting step recommendations for a healthy body weight was 0.45 (95% CI 0.24 – 0.84), and for relative fitness was 0.12 (95% CI 0.04 – 0.33). CA was prevalent in children who were overweight and obese. Preventive strategies might include promoting a healthy diet, physical activity, and fitness.