The association of Step-based metrics and adiposity in the Hispanic community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Correlations in Siblings' Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: Results from the Hispanic Community Children's Health Study/Study of Latino Youth

Background: Family is an important determinant of youth's health behaviors, yet research on the importance of intragenerational relationships for determining physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SBs) is limited. This study examined correlations in siblings' total PA, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and SB and explored potential determinants of differences in Hispanic/Latino siblings' activity. Methods: Hispanic/Latino 8-16-year olds from the cross-sectional Hispanic Community Children's Health Study/Study of Latino Youth with ≥1 sibling enrolled were examined (n = 535). Activity was assessed using the Actical accelerometer. Linear mixed models were used with total PA, MVPA, or SB as the outcome; correlations among siblings' PA and SB were assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: ICCs for siblings' total PA, MVPA, and SB were 0.26 (95% confidence interval: 0.16-0.36), 0.29 (0.21-0.38), and 0.42 (0.34-0.51), respectively. There were no differences in correlations between siblings who were all brothers compared to all sisters. However, compared to siblings of differing sexes, siblings who were all brothers had the strongest correlations in total PA (0.61 [0.46-0.76]) and MVPA (0.64 [0.49-0.78]), and siblings who were all sisters had the weakest correlations in SB (0.14 [-0.10 to 0.37]). Correlations did not differ according to age, and social and environmental measures did not explain differences in siblings' PA or SB. Conclusions: Correlations in Hispanic/Latino siblings' PA and SB ranged from slight to fair, with siblings who were all brothers generally having the strongest correlations. Future research should examine determinants of sex-specific differences in siblings' PA and SB correlations.

Comparative Analysis of ActiGraph Step Counting Methods in Adults: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

The primary aim of this study was to compare steps per day across ActiGraph models, wear locations, and filtering methods. A secondary aim was to compare ActiGraph steps per day to those estimated by the ankle-worn StepWatch.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic literature review to identify studies of adults published before May 12, 2022, that compared free-living steps per day of ActiGraph step counting methods and studies that compared ActiGraph to StepWatch. Random-effects meta-analysis compared ActiGraph models, wear locations, filter mechanisms, and ActiGraph to StepWatch steps per day. A sensitivity analysis of wear location by younger and older age was included.

RESULTS

Twelve studies, with 46 comparisons, were identified. When worn on the hip, the AM-7164 recorded 123% of the GT series steps (no low-frequency extension (no LFE) or default filter). However, the AM-7164 recorded 72% of the GT series steps when the LFE was enabled. Independent of the filter used (i.e., LFE, no LFE), ActiGraph GT series monitors captured more steps on the wrist than on the hip, especially among older adults. Enabling the LFE on the GT series monitors consistently recorded more steps, regardless of wear location. When using the default filter (no LFE), ActiGraph recorded fewer steps than StepWatch (ActiGraph on hip 73% and ActiGraph on wrist 97% of StepWatch steps). When LFE was enabled, ActiGraph recorded more steps than StepWatch (ActiGraph on the hip, 132%; ActiGraph on the wrist, 178% of StepWatch steps).

CONCLUSIONS

The choice of ActiGraph model, wear location, and filter all impacted steps per day in adults. These can markedly alter the steps recorded compared with a criterion method (StepWatch). This review provides critical insights for comparing studies using different ActiGraph step counting methods.

Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease: Knowledge Gained from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) has made important contributions on the prevalence of and factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among diverse Hispanic/Latino adults in the US. This article summarizes the knowledge gained thus far on major CVD risk factors from this landmark study.

RECENT FINDINGS

HCHS/SOL demonstrated the sizeable burdens of CVD risk in all major Hispanic/Latino groups in the US, as well as the marked variations in prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, obesity, and smoking by sex and background. It also identified sociodemographic, lifestyle, and sociocultural characteristics associated with risk factors. HCHS/SOL has yielded an expanding body of literature on characteristics associated with adverse CVD risk factors in this population. Long-term follow-up of this cohort will shed further light on the observed heterogeneity in CVD risk across Hispanic/Latino groups and identify specific risk/protective factors driving these variations.