Relationship of leisure-time physical activity and occupational activity to the prevalence of obesity.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the interaction between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and occupational activity (OA) on the prevalence of obesity.


METHODS
Secondary data analysis of a population based cross-sectional US national sample (NHANES III).


METHODS
A total of 4889 disease-free, currently employed adults over age 20 y.


METHODS
Subjects body mass index (BMI) was categorized as (1) obese (BMI> or =30 kg/m(2)), or (2) non-obese (BMI<30 kg/m(2)). LTPA was divided into four categories: (1) no LTPA; (2) irregular LTPA; (3) regular moderate intensity LTPA; and (4) regular vigorous intensity LTPA. OA was grouped as (1) high OA and (2) low OA. Age, gender, race-ethnicity, smoking status, urbanization classification, alcohol consumption and income were statistically controlled.


RESULTS
In all, 16.8% (s.e. 0.7) of the total subject population were obese (15.1% (s.e. 1.1) of men and 19.1% (s.e. 1.1) of women). Logistic regression revealed that compared to those who engage in no LTPA and have low levels of OA, the likelihood of being obese is 42% (95% CI 0.35, 0.96) lower for those who engage in no LTPA and have high OA, 48% (95% CI 0.32, 0.83) lower for those who have irregular LTPA and have high levels of OA, and about 50% lower for all those who have regular LTPA through moderate or vigorous activity levels regardless of OA level.


CONCLUSIONS
When considering disease free adults above 20 y of age employed in high and low activity occupations, a high level of occupational activity is associated with a decreased likelihood of being obese.
King
G A
GA
Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. gking@utep.edu
Fitzhugh
E C
EC
Bassett
D R
DR
McLaughlin
J E
JE
Strath
S J
SJ
Swartz
A M
AM
Thompson
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009790:Occupations; D005082:Physical Exertion; D015995:Prevalence; D014937:Work