Did you know?

Did You Know?

It is not possible to be allergic to sugar...

Find out more facts like this

Science & ResearchPrint this page

Determinants of Childhood Adiposity: Evidence from the Australian LOOK Study

Telford,R.D., Cunningham,R.B., Telford,R.M., Riley,M. and Abhayaratna,W.P. (2012) PLoS One 7:e50014


Objective: To investigate the associations of adiposity with energy intake and PA in a sample of healthy community-based Australian children

Design: Cross-sectional

Setting: Part of the multidisciplinary Lifestyle of our Kids (LOOK) project.

Participants: 734 boys and girls measured at ages 8, 10 and 12 y

Main outcome measures: Cross-sectional and prospective relationships examining %body fat (DEXA), PA (pedometers at ages 8,10 and 12 and accelerometers at age 12), and dietary intake (1 day records at age 8, 2 days at age 12). Measured height and weight. Relationships were adjusted for socioeconomic status, pubertal development and variation in PE programs in school. When assessing the relationship between %BF and PA, adjustments were made for diet, and vice versa.

Results: Cross-sectional relationships between %BF and PA (pedometer) were negative in both sexes (i.e. higher %BF for the less active). This negative relationship between %BF and PA held when PA was measured by accelerometer at age 12. There were no positive relationships between any of the dietary measures (energy, fat, CHO or sugar) and %BF.
Longitudinal relationships revealed a significant negative relationship between %BF and PA (pedometer) but only when both sexes were combined. There were no longitudinal relationships between dietary characteristics and %BF.

Conclusions: Provides support that PA is the main source of variation in %BF of healthy community-based Australian children.

Back to recent research list

SUGAR PRODUCTION FIGURES WORLDWIDE

World Map
redbluegreenvoiletorangeyellow

EATING FOR HEALTH

Pasta shapes small homepage image

Eating a healthy, balanced diet along with taking regular exercise is key to physical and mental wellbeing.

No foods should be considered as ‘good or bad’ as all foods play an important role in the diet. It is only when foods are eaten in excess that health problems result.

Read more about eating healthy