The Relationship between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Atherogenic Index in Primary School Children

Subject Areas : Physiology of exercise

Masoud Shakki ¹ , Reza Rezaishirazi ^{2 *} , ُSaeed Ghorbani ³ , Neda Aghaei Bahman Beglo ⁴

1 - Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Ali.C., Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran
2 - Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Ali.C., Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran
3 - Department of Physical Education, Isl.C., Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr, Iran
4 - Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Ali.C., Islamic Azad University, Aliabad Katoul, Iran.

Received: 2025-06-09 Accepted : 2025-07-13 Published : 2025-07-21

Keywords: physical Activity, Inactivity, Accelerometer, Atherogenic Index ,

Abstract :

Objective: Physical activity is an important factor in the physical and psychosocial health of children and is also an important aspect in the prevention of obesity. Improving physical activity and mobility in children is associated with improved academic performance and also reducing the risk of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases in later life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between objectively measured physical activity and the atherogenic index in elementary school children.

Methods: The present study was conducted in Aliabad Katul city and a descriptive-correlation method was used for this purpose. The sample size was 420 elementary school boys who were selected by convenience sampling. The ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer and Pars Azmoun biochemistry kit were used to measure the physical activity pattern and the atherogenic index. Correlation test was used to analyze the data.

Results: Accelerometer data showed that the participants spent 65.36% of their total time sedentary. They also devoted only 54.8% of their total time to moderate to vigorous physical activity, with the average duration of moderate to vigorous daily physical activity of the participants being 51.48 minutes per day. Inactivity time had a direct and significant relationship with the atherogenic index (P < 0.001, r = 0.202). There was also a significant inverse relationship between the duration of moderate to vigorous daily physical activity and the atherogenic index (P < 0.001, r = -0.213).

Conclusions: The results of the study showed that children who met the World Health Organization guidelines for at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day had a lower atherogenic index than children who did not meet the World Health Organization guidelines.

References:

Abdi, K., Hosseini, F. B., Chaharbaghi, Z., & Ghorbani, S. (2022). Impact of social support on wellbeing and health-related quality of life among elderly women: Mediating role of physical activity. Women’s Health Bulletin, 9(2), 104-109.‏ https://doi.org/10.30476/whb.2022.94981.1174
Babaeibonab, S., Nobaran, E., & Derakhti, R. (2019). Evaluation of relationship between a course of regular physical activity and social physique anxiety in obese women. Scientific Journal of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedical Faculty, 4(3), 16-24. [In Persian].
Baniasadi, T., Ranjbari, S., Abedini, A., Dana, A., & Ghorbani, S. (2022). Investigation the Association of Internet Addiction with Mental Health and Physical Activity in Teenage Girls: The Mediating Role of Parental Attitude. Women’s Health Bulletin, 9(4), 243-250.‏ https://doi.org/10.30476/whb.2022.96915.1197
Bourdier, P., Simon, C., Bessesen, D. H., Blanc, S., & Bergouignan, A. (2023). The role of physical activity in the regulation of body weight: The overlooked contribution of light physical activity and sedentary behaviors. Obesity Reviews, 24(2), e13528.‏ https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13528
Brailey, G., Metcalf, B., Lear, R., Price, L., Cumming, S., & Stiles, V. (2022). A comparison of the associations between bone health and three different intensities of accelerometer-derived habitual physical activity in children and adolescents: a systematic review. Osteoporosis International, 33(6), 1191-1222.‏ https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-021-06218-5
Chaharbaghi, Z., Baniasadi, T., & Ghorbani, S. (2022). Effects of Teacher’s Teaching Style in Physical Education on Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity of High-School Students: an Accelerometer-based Study. International Journal of School Health, 9(3), 143-150.‏ https://doi.org/10.30476/intjsh.2022.95204.1224 [In Persian].
Chaput, J. P., Lambert, M., Mathieu, M. E., Tremblay, M. S., O'loughlin, J., & Tremblay, A. (2012). Physical activity vs. sedentary time: independent associations with adiposity in children. Pediatric obesity, 7(3), 251-258. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2047-6310.2011.00028.x
Chikezie, C. M., Ojiako, O. A., Emejulu, A. A., & Chikezie, P. C. (2018). Atherogenicity of diabetic rats administered single and combinatorial herbal extracts. Bulletin of Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, 56(2), 169-174. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bfopcu.2018.10.001
Choi, L., Liu, Z., Matthews, C. E., & Buchowski, M. S. (2011). Validation of accelerometer wear and nonwear time classification algorithm. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 43(2), 357.‏ https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e3181ed61a3
Dana, A., Ranjbari, S., Chaharbaghi, Z., & Ghorbani, S. (2023). Association between physical activity and motor proficiency among primary school children. International Journal of School Health, 10(3), 128-135.‏ https://doi.org/10.30476/intjsh.2023.98237.1295
García-Hermoso A, Saavedra JM, Ramírez-Vélez R, Ekelund U, Del Pozo-Cruz B. (2017). Reallocating sedentary time to moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity but not to light‐intensity physical activity is effective to reduce adiposity among youths: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity Reviews, 18(9), 1088-1095.‏ https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12552
Ghorbani, S., Tayebi, B., Deylami, K., Rahmannia, G., & Shakki, M. (2021). The Effect of Physical Education in Schools on the Motivation and Physical Activity Behavior of Adolescents: An Examination of the Trans-Contextual Model. Research on Educational Sport, 8(21), 179-196.‏ https://doi.org/10.22089/res.2020.8805.1866 [In Persian].
Guthold, R., Stevens, G. A., Riley, L. M., & Bull, F. C. (2020). Global trends in insufficient physical activity among adolescents: a pooled analysis of 298 population-based surveys with 1· 6 million participants. The lancet child & adolescent health, 4(1), 23-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2352-4642(19)30323-2
Heydari, M., Freund, J., & Boutcher, S. H. (2012). The effect of high-intensity intermittent exercise on body composition of overweight young males. J Obes. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/480467 [In Persian].
Karkhanehei, M., Ahmadian, H., Moradi, O., & Karimi, Q. (2021). The casual model of eating disorder based on self-objectification, experiential avoidance, and perfectionism with mediating role of body image concern in the community of overweight women. Quarterly Journal of Women and Society, 12(47), 161-176. https://doi.org/10.30495/jzvj.2021.25676.3329 [In Persian].
Kisokanth, G., Indrakumar, J., Arulpragasam, A. N., & Ilankoon, I. M. P. S. (2022). The prevalence and related factors of pre‐diabetes and diabetes among overweight and obese children in Urban schools. National Journal of Community Medicine, 13(01), 27-31. http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/njcm.20211223111349
Laguna M, Ruiz JR, Lara MT, Aznar S. (2013). Recommended levels of physical activity to avoid adiposity in S panish children. Pediatric Obesity, 8(1), 62-69.‏ https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2047-6310.2012.00086.x
Leppänen MH, Nyström CD, Henriksson P, Pomeroy J, Ruiz JR, Ortega FB, Cadenas-Sánchez C, Löf M (2016). Physical activity intensity, sedentary behavior, body composition and physical fitness in 4-year-old children: results from the ministop trial. International Journal of Obesity, 40(7), 1126-1133.‏ https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2016.54
Li, Y., Teng, D., Shi, X., Teng, X., Teng, W., Shan, Z., & Lai, Y. (2021). Changes in the prevalence of obesity and hypertension and demographic risk factor profiles in China over 10 years: two national cross-sectional surveys. The Lancet Regional Health–Western Pacific, 15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2021.100227
Muller, I., Walter, C., Du Randt, R., Aerts, A., Adams, L., Degen, J., ... & Gerber, M. (2020). Association between physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness and clustered cardiovascular risk in South African children from disadvantaged communities: results from a cross-sectional study. BMJ open sport & exercise medicine, 6(1), e000823. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000823
Niknam, M., Omidvar, N., & Amiri, P. (2022). Community Readiness as a Prerequisite for Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs: A Scoping Review. Iranian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 23(6), 397-408. [In Persian].
Niroumand, S., Khajedaluee, M., Khadem-Rezaiyan, M., Abrishami, M., Juya, M., Khodaee, G., & Dadgarmoghaddam, M. (2015). Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP): A marker of cardiovascular disease. Med J Islamic Republic Iran, 29, 240. [In Persian].
Nqweniso, S., Walter, C., du Randt, R., Aerts, A., Adams, L., Degen, J., ... & Gerber, M. (2020). Prevention of overweight and hypertension through cardiorespiratory fitness and extracurricular sport participation among South African schoolchildren. Sustainability, 12(16), 6581. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12166581
Ortega, F. B., Ruiz, J. R., & Castillo, M. J. (2013). Actividad física, condición física y sobrepeso en niños y adolescentes: evidencia procedente de estudios epidemiológicos. Endocrinología y Nutrición, 60(8), 458-469.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.endonu.2012.10.006
Ortega, F. B., Ruiz, J. R., Castillo, M. J., & Sjöström, M. (2008). Physical fitness in childhood and adolescence: a powerful marker of health. International journal of obesity, 32(1), 1-11.‏ https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803774
Parikh, T., & Stratton, G. (2011). Influence of intensity of physical activity on adiposity and cardiorespiratory fitness in 5–18 year olds. Sports Medicine, 41, 477-488.‏ https://doi.org/10.2165/11588750-000000000-00000
Patrick, K., Norman, G. J., Calfas, K. J., Sallis, J. F., Zabinski, M. F., Rupp, J., & Cella, J. (2004). Diet, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors as risk factors for overweight in adolescence. Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine, 158(4), 385-390.‏ https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.158.4.385
Poitras VJ, Gray CE, Borghese MM, Carson V, Chaput JP, Janssen I, Katzmarzyk PT, Pate RR, Connor Gorber S, Kho ME, Sampson M, Tremblay MS. (2016). Systematic review of the relationships between objectively measured physical activity and health indicators in school-aged children and youth. Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism, 41(6), S197-S239.‏ https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0663
Pontiroli, A. E., Ceriani, V., & Tagliabue, E. (2020). Compared with controls, bariatric surgery prevents long-term mortality in persons with obesity only above median age of cohorts: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Surgery, 30, 2487-2496. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-020-04530-3
Pysna, J., Pyšný, L., Cihlář, D., Petrů, D., Müllerová, L. H., Čtvrtečka, L., ... & Suchý, J. (2022). Physical activity and BMI before and after the situation caused by COVID-19 in upper primary school pupils in the Czech Republic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(5), 3068. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19053068
Qin, Z., Zhou, K., Li, Y., Cheng, W., Wang, Z., Wang, J., ... & Zhou, Y. (2020). The atherogenic index of plasma plays an important role in predicting the prognosis of type 2 diabetic subjects undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: results from an observational cohort study in China. Cardiovascular diabetology, 19, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-020-0989-8
Ramsey KA, Rojer AGM, D'Andrea L, Otten RHJ, Heymans MW, Trappenburg MC, Verlaan S, Whittaker AC, Meskers CGM, Maier AB. (2021). The association of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior with skeletal muscle strength and muscle power in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing research reviews, 67, 101266.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2021.101266
Reisberg, K., Riso, E. M., & Jürimäe, J. (2020). Associations between physical activity, body composition, and physical fitness in the transition from preschool to school. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 30(11), 2251-2263. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13784‏
Riso, E. M., Kull, M., Mooses, K., & Jürimäe, J. (2018). Physical activity, sedentary time and sleep duration: associations with body composition in 10–12-year-old Estonian schoolchildren. BMC Public Health, 18, 1-7.‏ https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5406-9
Riso, E. M., Kull, M., Mooses, K., Hannus, A., & Jürimäe, J. (2016). Objectively measured physical activity levels and sedentary time in 7–9-year-old Estonian schoolchildren: independent associations with body composition parameters. BMC Public Health, 16, 1-10.‏ https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3000-6
Steele, R. M., Van Sluijs, E. M., Cassidy, A., Griffin, S. J., & Ekelund, U. (2009). Targeting sedentary time or moderate-and vigorous-intensity activity: independent relations with adiposity in a population-based sample of 10-y-old British children. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 90(5), 1185-1192.‏ https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.2009.28153
Tanaka, C., Tanaka, M., Okuda, M., Inoue, S., Aoyama, T., & Tanaka, S. (2017). Association between objectively evaluated physical activity and sedentary behavior and screen time in primary school children. BMC research notes, 10, 1-8.‏ https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-017-2495-y
Ten Velde, G., Plasqui, G., Dorenbos, E., Winkens, B., & Vreugdenhil, A. (2021). Objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time in children with overweight, obesity and morbid obesity: a cross-sectional analysis. BMC public health, 21, 1-8.‏ https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11555-5
Thompson H R,. Sridharshi C. Hewawitharana , Janice K,., Carolyn R,. Talmage E., Gosliner,. W, Whetstone,. L, Woodward-Lopez,. W (2020). SNAP-Ed physical activity interventions in low-income schools are associated with greater cardiovascular fitness among 5th and 7th grade students in California, Preventive Medicine Reports, s 20 (2020) 101222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101222
Wijndaele, K., Westgate, K., Stephens, S. K., Blair, S. N., Bull, F. C., Chastin, S. F., ... & Healy, G. N. (2015). Utilization and harmonization of adult accelerometry data: review and expert consensus. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 47(10), 2129. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000000661