Device-measured Physical Activity And Sedentary Time In Adolescent Childhood Cancer Survivors Compared To Age- And Sex-matched References: The PACCS Study

PURPOSE: Increased physical activity (PA) may modify risks of late effects after cancer and increase quality of life. We examined levels of PA and sedentary time (ST) in a large, international sample of adolescent childhood cancer survivors in relation to socio-demographic and cancer related factors, and compared levels of PA and ST in survivors to reference material. METHODS: Survivors aged 9-16 years with any cancer diagnosis who had completed cancer treatment ≥l year ago were eligible for the multicenter PACCS (Physical Activity in Childhood Cancer Survivors) study. PA and ST were measured by ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers. We performed linear regression analyses to assess factors associated with lower moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and higher ST, and compared marginal means of total PA, MVPA, and ST in survivors to references using immediate t-tests. RESULTS: Only 34% of the participants fulfilled the PA recommendation and their ST were on average 8.7 hours/day. In survivors, female sex, older age, and having had a diagnosis of central nervous system tumor were associated with lower MVPA and higher ST. Compared to references, male survivors spent less time in MVPA, except those in the oldest age category. Female survivors had similar levels of MVPA as references in all age categories. Both male and female survivors had higher ST than references, however, the difference was not significant in all age categories. CONCLUSIONS: Female survivors, older adolescents, and survivors of central nervous system tumor are at particular risk of unfavorable levels of MVPA and ST, and need special attention in follow-up care. Compared to references, male survivors were less physically active and both sexes more sedentary showing the need for PA interventions in this population.