Evaluation of Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Levels Using Different Accelerometry Protocols in Children from the GENOBOX Study

Background Physical activity (PA) has acquired a significant relevance due to the health benefits associated with its practice. Accelerometers are an effective tool to assess PA; however, the diversity of cut-off points used to define different PA intensities through accelerometry could interfere in the interpretation of the findings among studies. Objectives The present study aimed to examine the sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) levels in children using six selected accelerometry protocols based on diverse cut-off points. Methods Clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, and PA evaluation by accelerometry were assessed in 543 selected children (10 ± 2.4 years old) from the Spanish GENOBOX study. The ActiLife data scoring program was used to determine daily min spent in SB, and light, moderate, vigorous and moderate-vigorous PA using six validated accelerometry protocols differing in their cut-off points. Results Very different estimations for SB and PA intensity levels were found in children, independently of the non-wear-time algorithm selected, and considering puberty stages, age and body mass index. The time spent in daily SB varied from 471 to 663.7 min, PA ranged from 141 to 301.6 min, and the moderate-vigorous PA was reported between 20.7 and 180.2 min. Conclusion The choice of a particular accelerometry protocol considering these factors is important to evaluate SB or PA intensities to suit the characteristics of the sample researched. It seems necessary to establish future lines of research that include different analytical approaches to measure SB and PA by accelerometry based on standardized and validated methodology.

Factors related to lower limb performance in children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 years: A systematic review with meta-analysis

Background The literature identifies several factors that are associated with lower limb performance (LLP). However, there is little consensus on which factors have the major associations with LLP. Objective Examine, analyze and summarize the scientific evidence on the factors associated with the performance of LLP in children and adolescents of both sexes aged between 7 and 17 years. Design This systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement and was registered in PROSPERO. Data sources A systematic literature search of five electronic databases (i.e., SPORTDiscus, PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS) with date restrictions was conducted (2010 to 2021). Eligibility criteria for selecting studies Eligibility criteria included (i) a study published between 2010 and 2021; (ii) a research study with observational design; (iii) a study analyzing LLP; and (iv) a sample composed of young people between 7 and 17 years old (regardless of sex). Analyses Literature analysis was carried out in English and Portuguese between 2018 and 2021, “blindly” by two researchers. For data sorting, Rayyan® was used. Data extraction and evidence analysis were performed “blindly”, using the Loney scale. The minimum items for observational studies were analyzed by the STROBE checklist. Meta-analyses were conducted based on age group (Childhood [7 to 11 Yrs] and Adolescence [12 to 17 Yrs]) and puberty stages (i.e., Prepupertal and Pubertal). The heterogeneity between the samples of the studies was assessed using the “Cochran’s Q” and “I^2” statistics. Meta-regression analyses were performed to check the factors related to heterogeneity of the studies and to check the associations between chronological age and LLP. Results The literature search resulted in 1,109,650 observational studies of which 39 were included in this review. Through Meta-analysis and Meta-regressions, it was possible to indicate that advancing chronological age related to increased LLP (p<0.01), and that in relation to puberty stages pubertal subjects had higher LLP than their pre-pubertal peers (p<0.01). Discussion The main findings of the present systematic review suggest that as chronological age advances (childhood to adolescence), neuromuscular systems mature and this may be due to advancing puberty, which is also associated with an increase in LLP. Conclusion The factors associated with lower limbs performance are still inconsistent in the literature. However, advancing chronological age and stage of puberty are both associated with increased lower limbs performance. Trial registration ID-PROSPERO-CRD42020137925.

Evaluation of Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Levels Using Different Accelerometry Protocols in Children from the GENOBOX study

Objectives. The present study aimed to examine the sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) levels in children using six selected accelerometry protocols based on diverse cut-off points.Methods. Clinical examination, anthropometric measurements, and PA evaluation by accelerometry were assessed in 543 selected children (10±2.4 years old) from the Spanish GENOBOX study. The ActiLife data scoring program was used to determine daily min spent in SB, and light, moderate, vigorous and moderate-vigorous PA using six validated accelerometry protocols differing in their cutt-off points.Results. Very different estimations for SB and PA intensity levels were found in children, independently of the non-wear-time algorithm selected, and considering puberty stages, age and body mass index. The time spent in daily SB varied from 471 to 663.7 min, PA ranged from 141 to 301.6 min, and the moderate-vigorous PA was reported between 20.7 and 180.2 min.Conclusion. The choice of a particular accelerometry protocol considering these factors is important to evaluate SB or PA intensities to suit the characteristics of the sample researched. It seems necessary to establish future lines of research that include different analytical approaches to measure SB and PA by accelerometry based on standardized and validated methodology.

Gut Microbiota: Effect of Pubertal Status

Background: The make-up of gut microbiota at different puberty stages has not been reported. This cross-sectional study analyzed the bio-diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages. Result: The subjects (aged 5-15 years) were divided into non-pubertal (n=42, male%: 66.7%) or pubertal groups (n=47, male%:44.68); in both groups, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum. There was no difference of alpha- and beta-diversity among disparate puberty stages. Non-pubertal subjects had members of the order Clostridiales, family Clostridiaceae, genus Coprobacillus which were significantly more prevalent than puberty subjects. Also, the pubertal subjects had members of class Betaproteobacteria, order Burkholderiales which were significantly more prevalent than the non-pubertal subjects. Their relative abundance was independent of BMI-Z. In the pubertal subjects, the abundance of genus Adlercreutzia, Ruminococcus, Dorea, Clostridium and Parabacteroides was associated with the level of testosterone.Conclusions: This is the first report of the diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages. The various species of gut microbiota changed gradually associated with puberty stages. Differences in gut microflora at different pubertal status may be related to androgen levels.

PUBERTY IN A SAMPLE OF BRAZILIAN SCHOOLBOYS: ONSET AND ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the age of puberty onset in boys and collect anthropometric data of participants at different puberty stages. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that assessed 430 boys in a random sample representing 48,390 students from public and private schools from the city of Uberaba, Southeast Brazil. The inclusion criteria were males, aged between 5 and 18 years, and absence of previous diseases. Participants and their guardians filled a semistructured questionnaire with questions relevant to their and their parents’ puberty. We set the significance at p<0.05 and calculated the 95% confidence intervals. Results: The mean age found in the puberty stage G2 was 11.2±1.8 (95% of participants in stage G2 were 9.2-13.4 years old). Pubarche data showed a mean of age of 11.0±1.6 years (95% of the participants experienced pubarche when they were 8.0-14.0 years old). When compared to the confidence intervals of two classical studies on the subject, our results showed a trend toward earlier pubarche. In addition, the mean age of this event in the children’s parents was of 12.1±1.4 years, which was significantly higher than the age of the children’s pubarche (p<0.001). Conclusions: These results indicate a secular decreasing trend in pubarche age and an earlier puberty onset. Considering these parameters, is important to design public policies aimed at preventing these early events.

Gut microbiota: effect of pubertal status

Background The make-up of gut microbiota at different puberty stages has not been reported. This cross-sectional study analyzed the bio-diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages. Result The subjects (aged 5–15 years) were divided into non-pubertal (n = 42, male%: 66.7%) or pubertal groups (n = 47, male%:44.68); in both groups, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum. There was no difference of alpha- and beta-diversity among disparate puberty stages. Non-pubertal subjects had members of the order Clostridiales, family Clostridiaceae, genus Coprobacillus which were significantly more prevalent than puberty subjects. Also, the pubertal subjects had members of class Betaproteobacteria, order Burkholderiales which were significantly more prevalent than the non-pubertal subjects. Their relative abundance was independent of BMI-Z. In the pubertal subjects, the abundance of genus Adlercreutzia, Ruminococcus, Dorea, Clostridium and Parabacteroides was associated with the level of testosterone. Conclusions This is the first report of the diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages. The various species of gut microbiota changed gradually associated with puberty stages. Differences in gut microflora at different pubertal status may be related to androgen levels.

The overall diet quality in childhood is prospectively associated with the timing of puberty

Purpose The influences of nutrition in childhood on puberty onset could have sustained consequences for health and wellbeing later in life. The aim of this study was to investigate the prospective association of diet quality prior to puberty with the timing of puberty onset. Methods We considered data from 3983 SCCNG (Southwest China Childhood Nutrition and Growth) study participants with dietary data, anthropometric measurement, and information on potential confounders at their baseline assessment (mean age: 7.1 years for girls and 7.3 years for boys; mean length of follow-up was 4.2 years). Cox proportional hazard regression estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to examine the relationship between diet quality and puberty onset. Dietary intake at baseline was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Diet quality was determined using the Chinese Children Dietary Index (CCDI) which measures adherence to current dietary recommendations (theoretical range: 0–160 points). Age at Tanner stage 2 for breast/genital development (B2/G2), menarche or voice break (M/VB) were used as pubertal markers. Results The CCDI score ranged from 56.2 to 136.3 for girls and 46.1–131.5 for boys. Pubertal markers consistently indicate that girls and boys with higher diet quality were more likely to enter their puberty later than their counterparts with lower CCDI scores (higher vs. lower CCDI tertiles: adjusted HR for age at B2: 0.85 (95% CI, 0.81–0.94), p for trend = 0.02; G2: 0.86 (95% CI,0.80–0.96), p for trend = 0.02; M: 0.86 (95% CI,0.80–0.95), p for trend = 0.02; VB: 0.86 (95% CI,0.79–0.98), p for trend = 0.03), after adjustment for paternal education level, baseline energy intake, and pre-pubertal body fat. Conclusions Our data suggested a later puberty onset and later timing of progressed puberty stages in children with a high diet quality, which were independent of pre-pubertal body fat.

Gut Microbiota: Effect of Pubertal Status

Background: The make-up of gut microbiota at different puberty stages has not been reported. This cross-sectional study analyzed the bio-diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages. Result: The subjects (aged 5-15 years) were divided into non-pubertal (n=42, male%: 66.7%) or pubertal groups (n=47, male%:44.68); in both groups, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum. There was no difference of alpha- and beta-diversity among disparate puberty stages. Non-pubertal subjects had members of the order Clostridiales, family Clostridiaceae, genus Coprobacillus which were significantly more prevalent than puberty subjects. Also, the pubertal subjects had members of class Betaproteobacteria, order Burkholderiales which were significantly more prevalent than the non-pubertal subjects. Their relative abundance was independent of BMI-Z. In the pubertal subjects, the abundance of genus Adlercreutzia, Ruminococcus, Dorea, Clostridium and Parabacteroides was associated with the level of testosterone.Conclusions: This is the first report of the diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages. The various species of gut microbiota changed gradually associated with puberty stages. Differences in gut microflora at different pubertal status may be related to androgen levels.

Gut Microbiota: Effect of Pubertal Status

Background: The make-up of gut microbiota at different puberty stages has not been reported. This cross-sectional study analyzed the bio-diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages. Methods: The fecal microbiome was determined in 89 Chinese subjects aged 5-15 years. Subjects were grouped as non-pubertal (n=42) or pubertal (n=47) according to Tanner stages. Gut colonization patterns were determined by 16S rRNA microbiome profiling.Results: The subjects were divided into non-pubertal (n=42, male%: 66.7%) or pubertal groups (n=47, male%:44.68); in both groups, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum. There was no difference of alpha- and beta-diversity among disparate puberty stages. Non-pubertal subjects had members of the order Clostridiales, family Clostridiaceae, genus Coprobacillus which were significantly more prevalent than puberty subjects. Also, the pubertal subjects had members of class Betaproteobacteria, order Burkholderiales which were significantly more prevalent than the non-pubertal subjects. Their relative abundance were independent of BMI-Z. In the pubertal subjects, the abundance of genus Adlercreutzia, Ruminococcus, Dorea, Clostridium and Parabacteroides was associated with the level of testosterone.Conclusion: This is the first report of the diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages. The various species of gut microbiota changed gradually associated with puberty stages. Differences in gut microflora at different pubertal status may be related to androgen levels.

Gut Microbiota: Effect of Pubertal Status

Background: The make-up of gut microbiota at different puberty stages has not been reported. This cross-sectional study analyzed the bio-diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages. Methods: The fecal microbiome was determined in 89 Chinese subjects aged 5-15 years. Subjects were grouped as non-pubertal (n=42) or pubertal (n=47) according to Tanner stages. Gut colonization patterns were determined by 16S rDNA microbiome profiling.Results: The subjects were divided into non-pubertal (n=42, male%: 66.7%) or pubertal groups (n=47, male%:44.68); in both groups, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum. There was no difference of alpha- and beta-diversity among disparate puberty stages. Non-pubertal subjects had significantly higher members of the genus Turicibacter and lower members of genus Sutterella than pubertal subjects. Of note, the proportion of genus Sutterella increased gradually with the pubertal status and independent of BMI-Z. In the pubertal subjects, the abundance of genus Adlercreutzia, Dorea, Clostridium and Parabacteroides was associated with the level of testosterone.Conclusion: This is the first report of the diversity of gut microbiota at different puberty stages. The various species of gut microbiota changed gradually associated with puberty stages. Differences in gut microflora at different pubertal status may be related to androgen levels.