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Background:Young adults born preterm have higher levels of cardio metabolic risk factors and they report less physical activity than their peers born at term. Physical activity provides important cardio metabolic health benefits. We hypothesized that objectively measured physical activity levels are lower and time spent sedentary is higher among preterm-born individuals compared with controls.Methods:We studied unimpaired participants of the ESTER birth cohort study at age 23.3 y (SD: 1.2): 60 born early preterm (<34 wk), 108 late preterm (34–36 wk), and 178 at term (controls). Physical activity and sedentary time were measured by hip-worn accelerometer (ActiGraph).Results:As compared with controls’ (mean physical activity, 303 counts per minute (cpm; SD 129)), physical activity was similar among adults born early preterm (mean difference = 21 cpm, 95% CI −61, 19) or late preterm (5 cpm, −27, 38). Time spent sedentary was also similar. Adjustments for early life confounders or current mediating characteristics did not change the results.Conclusion:In contrast to our hypothesis, we found no difference in objectively measured physical activity or time spent sedentary between adults born preterm and at term. The previously reported differences may be limited to physical activity captured by self-report.

BackgroundActive commuting to school (ACS) can be a significant source of physical activity and provide many health benefits.ObjectiveThis study identified the potential to increase physical activity levels by promoting ACS in Finnish schools and evaluated the effects of season, distance and age on ACS.DesignData were collected with a questionnaire from 5,107 students, aged 10–16, in 45 comprehensive schools in Finland. The distance and the mode of transport to school in different seasons were self-reported.ResultsThe prevalence of ACS was over 80% during spring/fall for those living 0–5 km from school. ACS was inversely associated with the distance to school and was lower in winter compared to spring and fall. Cycling is less common in winter, especially among girls and younger students. The potential for increasing students’ physical activity levels via ACS seems to be largest in winter, especially among students living 1–5 km from school. The variation in the prevalence of ACS between schools was large, especially in winter.ConclusionsWhen planning interventions to promote ACS, one is encouraged to acknowledge and evaluate the potential in the selected target schools in different seasons. The potential varies largely between schools and seasons and is highly dependent on students’ commuting distances.