title: The role of physical activity and diet on overall and central obesity incidence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the role of different types of physical activity (PA) and diet on overall and central obesity incidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort study with 1621 adults was conducted in an urban Portuguese population. Anthropometrics were objectively obtained during 1999-2003 and 2005-2008. Overall, obesity was defined by a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30.0 kg/m2 and central obesity by a waist circumference (WC) > 88.0 cm in women and >102.0 cm in men. Usual PA and dietary intake were assessed using validated questionnaires. Analyses of obesity incidence were conducted through different types of PA and a "healthy" dietary score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant inverse associations were found between leisure-time PA and obesity incidence, namely among subjects classified into the last tertile of energy expenditure, who had approximately a 40% lower risk of developing the disease. Despite higher energy intakes, individuals with a high Physical Activity Level (PAL > 1.60) were significantly protected against obesity incidence, relative risks (RR) = 0.25 (0.09-0.72) and RR = 0.47(0.27-0.94), for overall and central obesity, respectively. No significant associations were found between dietary score and obesity incidence rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our population, leisure-time PA played a significant role in preventing obesity. In both overall and central obesity, PAL above 60% of the resting metabolic rate and moderate energy intake seem to strike the right balance to prevent obesity.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camões
authors.forename: Andreia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lopes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult