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

The aim of the study was to summarize the evidence of the effects of reallocating time spent in sedentary behaviours in different activity intensities on youth's adiposity. Five databases were searched. Studies that reported the effects of replacing sedentary behaviour with light-intensity physical activity (LIPA) and/or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) on at least one adiposity parameter. The estimated regression coefficients (β) and 95% CIs were combined and meta-analysed. Data from 7,351 youths and five studies were analysed. Pooled analysis from cross-sectional studies shows that replacing sedentary time with LIPA showed no significant associations with any adiposity-related outcomes. Replacing sedentary time with MVPA was statistically associated with total body fat percentage (β = −2.512; p = 0.003), but not with body mass index or waist circumference. In subgroup analysis, the greatest magnitude of association was observed from studies where 60 min of sedentary behaviour was reallocated to 60 min of MVPA (β = −4.535; p < 0.001). Our results highlight the importance of promoting MVPA, which may improve body composition phenotypes in young people. This information can be used to develop more effective lifestyle interventions.