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Epidemiology and Population Health

Bidirectional 10-year associations of accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior and activity categories with weight among middle-aged adults

International Journal of Obesity volume 44, pages 559–567 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background

Although higher sedentary behavior (SB) with low light intensity (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) are thought to increase risk for obesity, other data suggest excess weight may precede these behaviors in the causal pathway. We aimed to investigate 10-year bidirectional associations between SB and activity with weight.

Methods

Analysis included 886 CARDIA participants (aged 38–50 years, 62% female, 38% black) with weight and accelerometry ( ≥ 4 days with ≥ 10 h/day) collected in 2005–6 (ActiGraph 7164) and 2015–6 (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT). Accelerometer data were calibrated, harmonized, and expressed as counts per minute (cpm) and time-dependent intensity categories (min/day of SB, LPA, and MVPA; SB and MVPA were also separated into long-bout and short-bout categories). Linear regression models were constructed to estimate adjusted associations of baseline activity with 10-year change in weight and vice versa. When activity categories were the independent variables, standardized regression coefficients (βstd.) estimated associations of replacing SB with a one SD increase in other categories, adjusted for accelerometer wear time.

Results

Over 10-years, weight increased by a mean 2.55 ± 8.05 kg and mean total activity decreased by 50 ± 153 cpm. In adjusted models, one SD higher baseline mean total activity (βstd. = −1.4 kg, p < 0.001), LPA (βstd. = −0.80 kg, p = 0.013), total MVPA (βstd. = −1.07 kg, p = 0.001), and long-bout MVPA (βstd. = −1.20 kg, p < 0.001) were associated with attenuated 10-year weight gain. Conversely, a one SD higher baseline weight was associated with unfavorable 10-year changes in daily activity profile including increases in SB (βstd. = 12.0 min, p < 0.001) and decreases in mean total activity (βstd. = 14.9 cpm, p = 0.004), LPA (βstd. = 8.9, p = 0.002), and MVPA (βstd. = 3.5 min, p = 0.001). Associations varied by race and gender.

Conclusions

Higher SB with lower activity and body weight were bidirectionally related. Interventions that work simultaneously to replace SB with LPA and long-bout MVPA while also using other methods to address excess weight may be optimal.

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Acknowledgements

The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA) is conducted and supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in collaboration with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (HHSN268201800005I & HHSN268201800007I), Northwestern University (HHSN268201800003I), University of Minnesota (HHSN268201800006I), and Kaiser Foundation Research Institute (HHSN268201800004I). This manuscript has been reviewed by CARDIA for scientific content. Additional support for this work was provided by the CARDIA Fitness Study (grant R01 HL078972) and CARDIA Activity Study (grant R56 HL125423). Dr. Barone Gibbs was additionally supported to conduct this research through the Tomayko Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health and Physical Activity, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Bethany Barone Gibbs

  2. Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    David Aaby & Juned Siddique

  3. Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA

    Jared P. Reis

  4. Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA

    Barbara Sternfeld

  5. Department of Health and Human Physiology, Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

    Kara Whitaker

  6. Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health— Austin Campus, and Department of Women’s Health Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Kelley Pettee Gabriel

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Correspondence to Bethany Barone Gibbs.

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Conflict of interest

Dr. Barone Gibbs discloses grant funding from the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health, and the Tomayko Fund. Drs. Juned Siddique and Kelley Pettee Gabriel disclose grant funding from the National Institutes of Health. Mr. David Aaby, Dr. Barbara Sternfeld, Dr. Kara Whitaker declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Barone Gibbs, B., Aaby, D., Siddique, J. et al. Bidirectional 10-year associations of accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior and activity categories with weight among middle-aged adults. Int J Obes 44, 559–567 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-019-0443-8

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