Physical activity and daily steps cut offs points for overweight/obesity prevention among eight Latin American countries

Sci Rep. 2022 Nov 5;12(1):18827. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-23586-y.

Abstract

This study aims to establish cut-off points for the number of minutes of physical activity intensity and the number of daily steps that identify overweight/obesity in adolescents, adults, and older adults. This study examined data from 2737 participants. Physical activity intensity and the number of daily steps were assessed using GT3X+ ActiGraph model accelerometers. Body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, and waist-to-hip ratio were used as indicators of overweight/obesity. The cut-off points for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for the prevention of overweight/obesity according to body mass index in women ranged from 15.1 to 30.2 min/day; in men, the values were from 15.4 to 33.8 min/day. The lowest cut-off point for daily steps was established in the adolescent group for women and men (7304 and 5162). The highest value in women was 11,412 (51-65 years) and 13,234 in men (18-30 years). Results from measurements different from BMI, show average cut-off points for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and daily steps of 29.1/8348 and 43.5/10,456 according to waist-to-height ratio; and results of 29.3/11,900 and 44.3/11,056 according to the waist-to-hip ratio; in women and men respectively. A more specific recommendation of physical activity and daily steps adjusted by sex and age range is suggested to prevent overweight/obesity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Aged
  • Body Mass Index
  • Exercise
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Latin America / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Obesity* / epidemiology
  • Obesity* / prevention & control
  • Overweight* / epidemiology
  • Overweight* / prevention & control
  • Waist Circumference