PMID- 23325606 OWN - NLM STAT- MEDLINE DCOM- 20141027 LR - 20220330 IS - 2047-6310 (Electronic) IS - 2047-6302 (Linking) VI - 9 IP - 1 DP - 2014 Feb TI - Relationship of milk intake and physical activity to abdominal obesity among adolescents. PG - 71-80 LID - 10.1111/j.2047-6310.2012.00130.x [doi] AB - What is already known about this subject Diet and physical activity (PA) are recognized as important factors to prevent abdominal obesity (AO). Studies have found an inverse relationship between milk intake or milk products and body weight and/or body fat in children and adolescents. Evidence suggests that low levels of PA are associated with AO in youth. What this study adds Our study explored the combined association of milk intake and PA on AO in adolescents, which are most often studied in isolation. Our findings suggested that adolescents with high milk intakes, regardless of whether they were active or low active, were less likely to have AO. Our findings could have a great epidemiological interest and bring important evidence in the field of AO management among adolescents. BACKGROUND: Diet and physical activity (PA) are recognized as important factors to prevent abdominal obesity (AO), which is strongly associated with chronic diseases. Some studies have reported an inverse association between milk consumption and AO. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between milk intake, PA and AO in adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1209 adolescents, aged 15-18 from the Azorean Archipelago, Portugal in 2008. AO was defined by a waist circumference at or above the 90th percentile. Adolescent food intake was measured using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and milk intake was categorized as 'low milk intake' (<2 servings per day) or 'high milk intake' (>/=2 servings per day). PA was assessed via a self-report questionnaire, and participants were divided into active (>10 points) and low-active groups (