Associations between objectively assessed and questionnaire-based sedentary behaviour with body mass index and systolic blood pressure in Kuwaiti adolescents

Objective Kuwait has one of the highest obesity rates in the world. This study examined the associations between sedentary behaviour (objectively measured and self-reported), adiposity and systolic blood pressure in a sample of adolescents residing in Kuwait. Data was obtained from the Study of Health and Activity among adolescents in Kuwait (2012-2013). The sample included a total of 435 adolescents (201 boys). Outcomes were age- and sex specific body mass index Z-scores and systolic blood pressure. Exposures were total sedentary behaviour measured by accelerometry and time spent in some sedentary behaviours (television viewing, video games, computer use and total screen-time). We used multiple linear regression analyses, adjusted for age, governorate, maternal education and physical activity, to examine associations between sedentary behaviour and adiposity and systolic blood pressure. Results Only 2 statistically significant associations were found between sedentary behaviour and the study outcomes: body mass in boys was directly associated with higher sedentary time [beta (95% CIs) 0.003 (0.00 to 0.06)]; body mass index was inversely associated with videogames in both sexes [girls: beta (95% CIs) - 0.17 (- 0.48 to - 0.04); boys: - 0.24 (- 0.57 to - 0.12)]. In this sample of Kuwaiti adolescents, sedentary behaviour showed limited deleterious associations with adiposity and systolic blood pressure.