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Behavior, Psychology and Sociology

Associations of daily activities measured by a pattern-recognition activity monitor with overall and abdominal obesity in older people: the IMPACT65+ study

International Journal of Obesity volume 43, pages 2545–2554 (2019)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objectives

The aims of the present study were: (i) to analyze the associations of the time spent in daily activities (i.e., lie, recline, passive sit, active sit, stand, walk at slow pace, walk at average pace, walk at brisk pace, and other activities) with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC); and (ii) to examine how theoretically reallocating time between these daily activities is associated with BMI and WC.

Methods

The sample included 437 older adults (288 women), aged 65 to 92 years, participating in the IMPACT65+ study. The time in daily activities was assessed by the Intelligent Device for Energy Expenditure and Activity (IDEEA). BMI and WC were measured following standardized procedures. Associations of daily activities with BMI and WC were examined using linear regression models adjusting for potential confounders. Isotemporal substitution models were performed to estimate the theoretical effect of replacing one activity with another activity while holding total time constant.

Results

The time spent lying and reclining was associated with increased BMI and WC, while the time spent standing, walking at average pace, and walking at brisk pace was associated with decreased BMI and WC. Isotemporal substitution analyses revealed significant hypothetical reductions in BMI and WC when reallocating 15 min from lying or reclining to standing or walking at average pace. Moreover, replacing 15 min from any sedentary activity or light physical activity (except for walking at average pace) with an equal amount of time in walking at brisk pace was associated with lower BMI and WC.

Conclusions

This is the first study examining the activity specific and isotemporal associations of daily behaviors (considering body postures and movements) with overall and abdominal obesity in older people. The results could be used in the development of specific recommendations encouraging an active lifestyle in older people.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Grants from MINECO I + D + i (DEP2013–47786-R), UAM-Santander (CEAL-AL/2015–20), and Real Madrid-UEM (P2016/RM09). SHF and MAC were supported by FPI grants from the Autonomous University of Madrid. The funding organizations had no role in the study design, the collection, analysis or interpretation of the data or the decision to submit the paper for publication.

Authors contributions

Designed research (project conception, development of overall research plan, and study oversight): DMG. Conducted research (hands-on conduct of the experiments and data collection): VCS, MAC, KPS, SHF, and DMG. Analyzed data or performed statistical analysis: VCS, DMG. Wrote paper (only authors who made a major contribution): VCS. Revised and approved the final version of the paper: VCS, MAC, KPS, SHF, and DMG. Had primary responsibility for final content: VCS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL), Faculty of Sport. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Verónica Cabanas-Sánchez

  2. Department of Physical Education, Sport and Human Movement, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain

    Verónica Cabanas-Sánchez, Miguel A. De la Cámara, Sara Higueras-Fresnillo & David Martinez-Gomez

  3. School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Sebastian, Santiago, Chile

    Kabir P. Sadarangani

  4. Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud y Odontología, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile

    Kabir P. Sadarangani

  5. IMDEA Food Institute. CEI UAM+CSIC, Madrid, Spain

    David Martinez-Gomez

  6. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPaz, CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain

    David Martinez-Gomez

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  1. Verónica Cabanas-Sánchez
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Correspondence to Verónica Cabanas-Sánchez.

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Cabanas-Sánchez, V., De la Cámara, M.A., Sadarangani, K.P. et al. Associations of daily activities measured by a pattern-recognition activity monitor with overall and abdominal obesity in older people: the IMPACT65+ study. Int J Obes 43, 2545–2554 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-019-0439-4

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