Are 24-hour movement recommendations associated with obesity-related indicators in the young population? A meta-analysis

Obesity (Silver Spring). 2023 Nov;31(11):2727-2739. doi: 10.1002/oby.23848. Epub 2023 Sep 19.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between meeting all three 24-hour movement recommendations (i.e., physical activity, sleep duration, and screen time) and obesity-related indicators among young people.

Methods: Four databases were systematically searched (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library).

Results: Meeting the 24-hour movement recommendations was cross-sectionally associated with lower overall obesity-related indicators (r = -0.09, 95% CI: -0.11 to -0.06), but no longitudinal association was found. Regarding each obesity-related indicator separately, meeting all three recommendations was related to lower odds of overweight/obesity (odds ratio = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.76) and obesity alone (odds ratio = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.16 to 0.50). An inverse relationship between meeting 24-hour movement recommendations and BMI, BMI z score, waist circumference, and body fat was also found. Regarding subgroup analysis, the association between 24-hour movement recommendations and overall obesity-related indicators was similar regardless of sex, comparison used (meeting all three vs. not meeting [i.e., those who met zero to two of the movement behaviors] or meeting all three vs. none), and type of measure to assess 24-hour movement recommendations (i.e., self-reported or accelerometer-based measures).

Conclusions: Meeting all 24-hour movement recommendations may be a crucial factor in maintaining a healthy weight status in the young population.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Meta-Analysis
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Overweight
  • Sedentary Behavior*
  • Sleep*