This study evaluated the effectiveness of the physical activity level (PAL), engagement in physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity (MVPA) and number of steps/day as prediction of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in children. We measured anthropometric parameters, body composition, blood pressure, blood glucose, HDL-c and triglycerides. The PAL and engagement in MVPA were obtained using a questionnaire and computing number steps/days with a pedometer. Participants were 187 children, with a mean age of 9.90 (± 0.7) years. The PAL showed a significant area under the ROC curve as a predictir of obesity, high body fat %, and high blood pressure (HBP) in girls. The PAL accurately predicted obesity and metabolic syndrome (MS), and MVPA accurately predicted MS and HBP in boys. Boys who achieved the recommended 13.000 steps/day were protected from MS and low HDL-c. Achieving the recommendations of engagement in MVPA and number of steps were protection against CVRFfactors in children.
obesity; children; cardiovascular diseases
