Leisure-time physical activity and occupational sitting: Associations with steps/day and BMI in 54-59 year old Australian women.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether combinations of leisure-time physical activity (PA) and occupational sitting were associated with steps/day and objectively measured body mass index (BMI) in women aged 54-59 years.


METHODS
In 2005, 158 women (age=56.4+/-1.4) living in Brisbane, Australia, were measured for height and weight, wore a pedometer for 7 days, and reported frequency and duration of leisure-time PA and extent of occupational sitting. Four groups were formed: (1) sufficiently active and some/little/no occupational sitting (n=52); (2) sufficiently active and mostly/all occupational sitting (n=29);(3) insufficiently active and some/little/no occupational sitting (n=43); and (4) insufficiently active and mostly/all occupational sitting (n=34). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine group differences in mean steps/day and BMI.


RESULTS
Mean+/-standard deviation (SD) steps/day for each group (indicated by numerical order above) was: (1) 9997+/-2854; (2) 9424+/-3120; (3) 8995+/-2965; (4) 7276+/-2816 [F(3,154)=6.139, p=.001]. BMI (kg/m(2)) was: (1) 25.5+/-3.9); (2) 26.9+/-4.1; (3) 26.5+/-4.7; (4) 29.7+/-7.9 [F(3,154)=4.57, p=.004]. Mean steps/day were significantly lower, and BMI significantly higher, in group 4 than in all other groups. No other differences were significant.


CONCLUSIONS
These cross-sectional data suggest that it might be important to consider both leisure-time PA and occupational sitting when considering strategies to increase steps/day and promote healthy BMI in mid-age women.
Tudor-Locke
Catrine
C
Walking Behavior Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, USA. Tudor-Locke@pbrc.edu
Burton
Nicola W
NW
Brown
Wendy J
WJ
D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009790:Occupations; D011187:Posture; D011793:Queensland; D016138:Walking; D017132:Workplace