Activity Accumulation and Cardiometabolic Risk in Youth: A Latent Profile Approach

INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional study aimed to: i) identify and characterize youth according to distinct physical activity (PA) and sedentary (SED) accumulation patterns; and ii) investigate associations of these derived patterns with cardiometabolic risk factors. METHODS: ActiGraph accelerometer data from 7-13 year olds from two studies were pooled (n=1,219; 843 [69%] with valid accelerometry included in analysis). Time accumulated in >/=5-min and >/=10-min SED bouts, >/=1-min and >/=5-min bouts of light (LPA), and >/=1-min bouts of moderate (MPA) and vigorous (VPA) PA were calculated. Frequency of breaks in SED were also obtained. Latent profile analysis was used to identify groups of participants based on their distinct accumulation patterns. Linear and logistic regression models were used to test associations of group accumulation patterns with cardiometabolic risk factors, including adiposity indicators, blood pressure and lipids. Total PA and SED time were also compared between groups. RESULTS: Three distinct groups were identified: "Prolonged sitters" had the most time in prolonged SED bouts and the least time in VPA bouts; "Breakers" had the highest frequency of SED breaks and lowest engagement in sustained bouts across most PA intensities; "Prolonged movers" had the least time accumulated in SED bouts and the most in PA bouts across most intensities. Whilst "Breakers" engaged in less time in PA bouts compared to other groups, they had the healthiest adiposity indicators. No associations with the remaining cardiometabolic risk factors were found. CONCLUSION: Youth accumulate their daily activity in three distinct patterns (prolonged sitters, breakers and prolonger movers), with those breaking up sitting and most time in sporadic PA across the day having a lower adiposity risk. No relationships with other cardiometabolic risk factors were identified.