title: Leisure-time physical activity in relation to occupational physical activity among women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to examine the association between occupational physical activity and leisure-time physical activity among US women in the Sister Study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study of 26,334 women who had been employed in their current job for at least 1 year at baseline (2004-2009). Occupational physical activity was self-reported and leisure-time physical activity was estimated in metabolic equivalent hours per week. Log multinomial regression was used to evaluate associations between occupational (sitting, standing, manually active) and leisure-time (insufficient, moderate, high) activity. Models were adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, education, income, geographic region, and body mass index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 54% of women met or exceeded minimum recommended levels of leisure-time physical activity (moderate 32% and high 22%). Women who reported sitting (prevalence ratio (PR)=0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74-0.92) or standing (PR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.75-0.94) most of the time at work were less likely to meet the requirements for high leisure-time physical activity than manually active workers. Associations were strongest among women living in the Northeast and the South.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this nationwide study, low occupational activity was associated with lower leisure-time physical activity. Women who are not active in the workplace may benefit from strategies to promote leisure-time physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA. Electronic address: christine.ekenga@nih.gov.
authors.forename: Christine C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Ekenga
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Christine G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Parks
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Lauren E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Dale P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Sandler
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D055686:Metabolic Equivalent / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Physical activity; Women; Workplace