Sibling Resemblance in Physical Activity Levels: The Peruvian Sibling Study on Growth and Health

Abstract

Physical activity is associated with a host of positive health outcomes and is shaped by both genetic and environmental factors. We aim to: (1) estimate sibling resemblance in two physical activity phenotypes [total number of steps∙day−1 and minutes for moderate steps per day (min∙day−1)]; and (2) investigate the joint associations of individual characteristics and shared natural environment with intra-pair sibling similarities in each phenotype. We sampled 247 biological siblings from 110 nuclear families, aged 6–17 years, from three Peruvian regions. Physical activity was measured using pedometers and body mass index was calculated. In general, non-significant variations in the intraclass correlation coefficients were found after adjustment for individual characteristics and geographical area for both phenotypes. Further, no significant differences were found between the three sib-ship types. Sister-sister pairs tended to take fewer steps than brother-brother (β = −2908.75 ± 954.31). Older siblings tended to walk fewer steps (β = −81.26 ± 19.83), whereas body mass index was not associated with physical activity. Siblings living at high-altitude and in the Amazon region had higher steps/day (β = 2508.92 ± 737.94; β = 2213.11 ± 776.63, respectively) compared with their peers living at sea-level. In general, we found no influence of sib-types, body mass index, and/or environment on the two physical activity phenotypes.