Metabolomic Signatures of Habitual Physical Activity in Childhood

In 515 children (5.5–11 years) from CHOP, 12 targeted plasma metabolite measures replicated as linked to accelerometer-measured habitual physical activity.

• Why it matters: The biological pathways connecting habitual activity to long-term health are not well defined in childhood, limiting mechanistic understanding of early-life PA benefits.
• What they did: The study used targeted metabolomics (315 metabolites plus 91 sums/ratios) and linear mixed-effects models to test cross-sectional associations with multiple PA variables, then replicated significant findings in an independent pediatric cohort.
• The result: More active children showed higher lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) a C14:0 and LPCs/phosphatidylcholines (PCs), and lower PC aa C40:6, monounsaturated PCs/saturated PCs, and valine/LPC a C18:1, with intensity- and BMI/sex-dependent patterns.

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