Objectively Measured Physical Activity Is Lower in Individuals with Normal Weight Obesity in the United States

Nadeeja N Wijayatunga; Heontae Kim; Harry M Hays; Minsoo Kang

doi:10.3390/ijerph191811747

Objectively Measured Physical Activity Is Lower in Individuals with Normal Weight Obesity in the United States

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Sep 17;19(18):11747. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191811747.

Authors

Nadeeja N Wijayatunga¹, Heontae Kim², Harry M Hays¹, Minsoo Kang³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
² Institute of Child Nutrition, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.
³ Department of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA.

Abstract

The role of physical activity in normal weight obesity (NWO), which is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk, is not clear. This study aimed to determine body composition phenotype-specific differences in objectively measured physical activity and sedentary time in adults in the United States. A total of 2055 adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 18.5 m² were studied using 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Physical activity and percent body fat (BF%) were measured using accelerometer and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, respectively. A BF% > 23.1% and >33.3% for men and women, respectively, was considered excess. A BMI of 18.5-24.9 kg/m² with excess BF% was defined as NWO, while those with normal BF%, as normal weight lean (NWL). A BMI of ≥25 kg/m² with excess BF% was considered overweight/obesity (OB). Compared to NWL, moderate to vigorous physical activity was significantly lower by 8.3 min (95% confidence interval/CI = -15.20, -1.40) and 10.18 min (95% CI = -14.83, -5.54) per day in NWO and OB, respectively. Low-intensity physical activity was also significantly lower by 17.71 min (95% CI = -30.61, -4.81) per day in NWO compared to NWL. However, sedentary time was not different. Objectively measured physical activity is significantly lower in NWO compared to NWL, while sedentary time is not.

Keywords: exercise; obesity phenotypes; unhealthy lean.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Body Mass Index
Exercise
Female
Humans
Obesity* / diagnosis
Obesity* / epidemiology
Overweight*
Risk Factors
United States / epidemiology

Grants and funding

Research support funding was provided by the School of Applied Sciences’ Dean’s office and startup funds were obtained from the University of Mississippi. This research received no external funding.