Using novel raw accelerometry data to investigate the role of physical activity in the relationship between bone health of parents and children

• Grant number: 25/01180-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Diego Giulliano Destro Christofaro
• Grantee: Stefany Carolaine Bezerra Silva
• Supervisor: Gregore Iven Mielke
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Queensland, Brisbane (UQ), Australia
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/15094-2 - BONE MINERAL DENSITY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARENTS AND CHILDREN AND THE ROLE OF DIFFERENT DOMAINS AND INTENSITIES OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, BP.MS

Abstract

Background: Bone mineral density (BMD) is a key indicator of bone health and plays a significant role in preventing conditions like osteoporosis. Regular physical activity (PA), especially sports participation, is recognized as an important factor in promoting optimal BMD during childhood and adolescence. Aims: This study aims to explore therelationship between different levels of PA intensity, as measured by raw accelerometry data, and BMD in both parents and children. Methods: A total of 176 participants (88 adolescents and at least one parent per adolescent) from Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, will be included in this cross-sectional study, which is part of the EPI - Family HealthStudy. PA will be assessed using Actigraph GT3X accelerometers, and BMD will be measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The study will analyze daily acceleration and time spent in activities of light, moderate, and vigorous intensity, and their association with BMD in both generations. The findings aim to contribute to adeeper understanding of how PA influences BMD across generations and to provide insights into effective interventions for improving bone health in family units. Quantile regression will be used for statistical analysis, adjusting for age, socioeconomic status, and childrens PA levels.