It is known that physical activity begins to decline in adolescents with increase in weight. Once an individual becomes obese, the energy balance changes. A twin coherent study was conducted. Participants were recruited from a population-based, longitudinal study of five consecutive birth cohorts (1975-1979) of Finnish twins. All of the twins had to answer a questionnaire at age 16,17,18, and again at 22-27. In total there were 1,870 twin pairs. Out of the 658 male twin pairs, 14 of them reported a BMI difference (one of the twins was obese). Females only participated during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Weight and height were self-reported, in which BMI was calculated. Obesity was classified using age and sex specific BMI reference data, BMI cut point of 30 kg/m^2.
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The cut off points for abdominal obesity was 88 cm for women and 102 cm for men. Frequency of leisure-time physical activity was assessed by a structured question with the following answer responses: " not at all, less than once a month, 1-2 times a month, about once a week, 2-3 times a week, 4-5 times a week, and every day". The second question asked the subject about their own perception of his or own physical fitness. BMR was measured in all pairs after an overnight fast using the Deltatrac Metabolic Monitor. Obesity in adolescence was rare (0.7% at 16 years, 0.7% at 17 years, 1.1% at years). At the age of 25, 4% of the twins were obese and 8% had abdominal obesity. The risk of becoming obese in adulthood was 3.9% or higher in inactive adolescents compared to those who were physically active. The risk of abdominal obesity in adulthood was fivefold. Those subjects who classified themselves as unfit were in risk for abdominal obesity. Individuals who were not fit after the age of 18 were at more risk of being obese in the
The cut off points for abdominal obesity was 88 cm for women and 102 cm for men. Frequency of leisure-time physical activity was assessed by a structured question with the following answer responses: " not at all, less than once a month, 1-2 times a month, about once a week, 2-3 times a week, 4-5 times a week, and every day". The second question asked the subject about their own perception of his or own physical fitness. BMR was measured in all pairs after an overnight fast using the Deltatrac Metabolic Monitor. Obesity in adolescence was rare (0.7% at 16 years, 0.7% at 17 years, 1.1% at years). At the age of 25, 4% of the twins were obese and 8% had abdominal obesity. The risk of becoming obese in adulthood was 3.9% or higher in inactive adolescents compared to those who were physically active. The risk of abdominal obesity in adulthood was fivefold. Those subjects who classified themselves as unfit were in risk for abdominal obesity. Individuals who were not fit after the age of 18 were at more risk of being obese in the