Aim. To examine the effect of obesity-related behaviours clustering on obesity-related indicators including body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) in a sample 2 to 10 years old children from eight European countries participating in the IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle induced health EFfects In Children and infants) study.
Methods. 12.311 children (51% of males) were included in the current study. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were measured using parental reported questionnaires and dietary intake via dietary recalls (two 24 hour-recalls). Cluster analysis was performed by gender. Logistic regression was used to examine the association of identified cluster to BMI and WC.
Results. Six lifestyle clusters were identified (C1 to C6).Clusters characterized by high level of PA (C1 and C3) included a high proportion of older children (6 to 9 years old); clusters characterized by low beverage consumption (C5 and C6) included a high proportion of younger children (2 to 6 years old). High proportion of children with low socioeconomic status characterized the cluster with the highest SSB consumption (C4). Significant associations with body composition indicators were observed only in males; children in the cluster with the highest time spent in sedentary activities and low PA had increased odds of having a Body Mass Index z-score (OR 1.33; 95%CI 1.01,1.74) and a waist circumference z-score (OR 1.41; 95%CI = (1.06, 1.86)) greater than one.
Conclusions. Co-occurrence of healthy and unhealthy behaviours exists in this sample of young children, and sedentary behaviour identified as an important determinant of obesity-related indicators.
