Joint Association between Sedentary Time and Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity with Obesity Risk in Adults from Latin America

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Apr 18;20(8):5562. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20085562.

Abstract

Recent studies have shown various relationships between physical activity and the incidence of obesity, but this study critically explored the association of sedentary time (ST) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with obesity risk in adults from eight Latin American countries. ST and MVPA were assessed with accelerometers and stratified into 16 joint categories. Multivariate logistic regression models were used. The obesity risk indicators evaluated were body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and neck circumference (NC). Quartile 4 of ST and ≥300 min/week of MVPA was associated with lower odds of BMI compared to quartile 1 of ST and ≥300 min/week of MVPA. Quartile 1 of ST and 150-299 min/week of MVPA, quartile 1 of ST and 76-149 min/week MVPA, quartile 3 of ST and 76-149 min/week MVPA, and quartiles 1, 2, and 3 of ST with 0-74 min/week MVPA were associated with higher odds of high WC compared to quartile 1 of ST and ≥300 min/week of MVPA. Quartile 3 of ST and 150-299 min/week of MVPA, quartiles 1 and 3 of ST and 76-149 min/week of MVPA, and quartile 1 of ST and 0-74 min/week MVPA were associated with higher NC compared to quartile 1 of ST and ≥300 min/week of MVPA. This study suggests that achieving the MVPA recommendations will likely protect against obesity, regardless of ST.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02226627.

Keywords: South America; obesity; physical activity; sedentary behavior; sitting time.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accelerometry
  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Exercise
  • Humans
  • Latin America / epidemiology
  • Obesity* / epidemiology
  • Sedentary Behavior*

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02226627

Grants and funding

Fieldwork and data analysis comprised in the ELANS protocol were supported by a scientific grant from the Coca Cola Company and by grant and/or support from Instituto Pensi/Hospital Infantil Sabara, International Life Science Institute of Argentina, Universidad de Costa Rica, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Universidad Central de Venezuela (CENDES-UCV)/Fundación Bengoa, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, and Instituto de Investigación Nutricional de Peru. The funding sponsors had no role in study design; the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.