Cross-generation link between inactive behavior of schoolchildren and metabolic disease category of parents

In this study, we determined the cross-generation link between sedentary behavior of schoolchildren with their 6-year BMI progression pattern and metabolic disease category of their parents. Anthropometric data of 11,190 elementary schoolchildren (aged 13) were retrospectively tracked from 2003 to 2009, and classified into two groups: Normal (N = 9793) and Metabolic Disorders (N = 1397), based on the disease category of their parents (under at least one medication for stroke, coronary heart disease (CAD), diabetes, and hypertension). Schoolchildren's weekly time spending on reading, computer use, video game, music listening, radio listening, TV watching, and movie watching, was reported with parental assistance via questionnaires. Baseline BMI and 6-year BMI progression rate in Metabolic Disorders group were significantly higher than those in Normal group. In particular, offsprings from stroke parents exhibited the greatest baseline BMI across 6-year compared to the rest of the disease categories. For Metabolic Disorders group, time spending on computer use, video game, TV watching, and music listening of schoolchildren was significantly longer than Normal group. Reading, which occupied the largest portion of weekly sedentary time, was not contributed to the group difference on BMI status of schoolchildren. The current study demonstrates that schoolchildren from family with at least one parent having metabolic disorders, particularly stroke, tended to be more sedentary and heavier than their age-matched normal peers. School-based obesity prevention programs are suggested for this specific group by restricting time spent on technology-associated sedentary behaviors and promoting sport activities. Copyright © 2012 by The Chinese Physiological Society and Airiti Press Inc.