Childhood and adolescence physical activity and multimorbidity later in life: A systematic review

Background No systematic summary exists on childhood physical activity and later-life multimorbidity risks. We primarily investigated the association of physical activity in childhood and adolescence and the development of multimorbidity in adulthood. Secondarily, we examined whether physical activi...

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Main Authors: Luc Souilla, Anders C. Larsen, Carsten B. Juhl, Søren T. Skou, Alessio Bricca
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-02-01
Series:Journal of Multimorbidity and Comorbidity
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/26335565241231403
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author Luc Souilla
Anders C. Larsen
Carsten B. Juhl
Søren T. Skou
Alessio Bricca
author_facet Luc Souilla
Anders C. Larsen
Carsten B. Juhl
Søren T. Skou
Alessio Bricca
author_sort Luc Souilla
collection DOAJ
description Background No systematic summary exists on childhood physical activity and later-life multimorbidity risks. We primarily investigated the association of physical activity in childhood and adolescence and the development of multimorbidity in adulthood. Secondarily, we examined whether physical activity level differ in children and adolescents with and without multimorbidity and whether there is a cross-sectional association between physical activity and multimorbidity. Methods Following Cochrane Handbook guidelines and adhering to PRISMA recommendations, we included cross-sectional, case-control and longitudinal studies that investigated the association between physical activity in children and adolescents and development of multimorbidity. Results were summarized narratively and we assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO, CRD42023407063. Results Of 9064 studies identified, 11 were included in 13 papers. Longitudinals studies suggested that being physically active in childhood and adolescence was associated with a lower risk of multimorbidity in adulthood. Three out of five studies reported lower physical activity level in children and adolescents with multimorbidity compared to those without, and two did not find a between-group difference. Cross-sectional evidence on the association between multimorbidity and lower physical activity was uncertain. Overall, the evidence certainty for all outcomes was considered low due to the indirectness and inconsistency in findings. Conclusions Childhood and adolescence physical activity appeared to be linked with a reduced risk of later-life multimorbidity but the certainty of the evidence is low. These results support the promotion of physical activity during childhood and adolescence.
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spelling doaj-art-d30b2bc3da3846589bef84be9dcc18672025-02-08T12:03:20ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Multimorbidity and Comorbidity2633-55652024-02-011410.1177/26335565241231403Childhood and adolescence physical activity and multimorbidity later in life: A systematic reviewLuc SouillaAnders C. LarsenCarsten B. JuhlSøren T. SkouAlessio BriccaBackground No systematic summary exists on childhood physical activity and later-life multimorbidity risks. We primarily investigated the association of physical activity in childhood and adolescence and the development of multimorbidity in adulthood. Secondarily, we examined whether physical activity level differ in children and adolescents with and without multimorbidity and whether there is a cross-sectional association between physical activity and multimorbidity. Methods Following Cochrane Handbook guidelines and adhering to PRISMA recommendations, we included cross-sectional, case-control and longitudinal studies that investigated the association between physical activity in children and adolescents and development of multimorbidity. Results were summarized narratively and we assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO, CRD42023407063. Results Of 9064 studies identified, 11 were included in 13 papers. Longitudinals studies suggested that being physically active in childhood and adolescence was associated with a lower risk of multimorbidity in adulthood. Three out of five studies reported lower physical activity level in children and adolescents with multimorbidity compared to those without, and two did not find a between-group difference. Cross-sectional evidence on the association between multimorbidity and lower physical activity was uncertain. Overall, the evidence certainty for all outcomes was considered low due to the indirectness and inconsistency in findings. Conclusions Childhood and adolescence physical activity appeared to be linked with a reduced risk of later-life multimorbidity but the certainty of the evidence is low. These results support the promotion of physical activity during childhood and adolescence.https://doi.org/10.1177/26335565241231403
spellingShingle Luc Souilla
Anders C. Larsen
Carsten B. Juhl
Søren T. Skou
Alessio Bricca
Childhood and adolescence physical activity and multimorbidity later in life: A systematic review
Journal of Multimorbidity and Comorbidity
title Childhood and adolescence physical activity and multimorbidity later in life: A systematic review
title_full Childhood and adolescence physical activity and multimorbidity later in life: A systematic review
title_fullStr Childhood and adolescence physical activity and multimorbidity later in life: A systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Childhood and adolescence physical activity and multimorbidity later in life: A systematic review
title_short Childhood and adolescence physical activity and multimorbidity later in life: A systematic review
title_sort childhood and adolescence physical activity and multimorbidity later in life a systematic review
url https://doi.org/10.1177/26335565241231403
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