BODY COMPOSITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN ADOLESCENTS BORN WITH VERY LOW BIRTH WEIGHT

PURPOSE: To compare indices of body composition and self-reported physical activity (PA) of very low birth weight (VLBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) adolescents, and to determine if PA is a possible mediator of the relationship between birth weight group and central adiposity. METHODS: Average hours of total PA (TotHrs) and vigorous PA (VigHrs) per week for the past year was assessed via the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire (MAQ). Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured. Waist to height ratio (WHtR) was calculated along with body mass index (BMI) according to CDC age- and sex- specific reference data. Measures of fat and lean tissue were assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). RESULTS: When all VLBW were compared to their NBW peers, VLBW (both males and females) had lower height and weight than their NBW peers. Give numbers. BMI percentiles did not differ by group, and both had % of participants who were either overweight or obese (BMI > 85th percentile). TotHrs and body composition appeared similar. When stratified by sex, differences became apparent. VLBW males were similar to NBW males, but VLBW females displayed several differences from NBW females. VLBW females reported significantly (p<.05) less participation in VigHrs (VLBW: 0.25(5th, 95th percentiles) vs. NBW: 2.1(p<0.01), VLBW females had lower percent body fat (29.5 vs. 32.7%, respectively) and higher percent lean body mass (67% and 63.6% respectively) than NBW females. Central adiposity did not differ between groups so meditational analysis was not performed. Birth weight group and PA were independent predictors of body composition. CONCLUSION: VLBW was associated with less body fat and greater lean body mass in adolescent females but not males. The high prevalence of overweight/obesity and the low participation in VigHrs may put VLBW females at risk for future development of chronic disease. Continued follow up evaluation is warranted with emphasis on sex effects.

Grantor dc:publisher

Wake Forest University

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• Redman, Holly

• body composition

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10339/39314

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:wakespace.lib.wfu.edu:10339/39314