Cross-sectional and prospective associations of meeting 24-h movement guidelines with overweight and obesity in preschool children

BackgroundCross-sectional studies report that meeting the newly developed 24-h movement guidelines (60min moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), 120min screen time and 9-11h sleep duration) are associated with lower adiposity indicators in children. However, prospective data are absent. MethodsThe study sample consisted of 830 children from the PRIMROSE study with GT3X+ accelerometer measured physical activity and parent reported screen time and sleep duration at age 4years and objectively measured anthropometrics at age 4 and 5years. The main outcome variables were weight status, body mass index (BMI) and BMI z-score at ages 4 and 5years. Exposure variables were defined as meeting vs. not meeting the 24-h movement guidelines and combinations of these recommendations. ResultsOn average, 18.4% of the total study sample met the combination of MVPA, sleep duration and screen time recommendations. In isolation, the MVPA, screen time and sleep guidelines were met by 31%, 63% and 98% of the total study sample, respectively. Adherence to any single recommendation, or any combination of recommendations at age 4years, was not associated with being overweight or obese nor with BMI and BMI z-score at age 4 or 5years. ConclusionsIn contrast to previous cross-sectional studies, neither individual movement behaviours nor combinations of behaviours at age 4years was associated with overweight or obesity, BMI or BMI z-score at age 4 or 5years. More prospective data are needed before effects on weight status from meeting the 24-h movement guidelines are elucidated.