title: Are temporal patterns of sitting associated with obesity among blue-collar workers? A cross sectional study using accelerometers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about associations of temporal patterns of sitting (i.e., distribution of sitting across time) with obesity. We aimed investigating the association between temporal patterns of sitting (long, moderate and brief uninterrupted bouts) and obesity indicators (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and fat percentage), independently from moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total sitting time among blue-collar workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Workers (n = 205) wore Actigraph GT3X+ accelerometers on the thigh and trunk for 1-4 working days. Using the validated Acti4 software, the total sitting time and time spent sitting in brief (≤5 mins), moderate (>5 and ≤30 mins), and long (>30mins) bouts on working days were determined for the whole day, and for leisure and work separately. BMI (kg/m(2)), waist circumference (cm) and fat percentage were objectively measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results of linear regression analysis adjusted for multiple confounders indicated that brief bouts of sitting was negatively associated with obesity for the whole day (BMI, P < 0.01; fat percentage, P < 0.01; waist circumference, P < 0.01) and work (BMI, P < 0.01; fat percentage, P < 0.01; waist circumference, P < 0.01), but not for leisure. Sitting time in long bouts was positively associated with obesity indicators for the whole day (waist circumference, P = 0.05) and work (waist circumference, P = 0.01; BMI, P = 0.04), but not leisure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the whole day as well as for work, brief bouts and long bouts of sitting showed opposite associations with obesity even after adjusting for MVPA and total sitting time, while sitting during leisure did not show these associations. Thus, the temporal distribution of sitting seems to influence the relationship between sitting and obesity.
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Lerso Parkalle 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. ngu@nrcwe.dk.
authors.forename: Nidhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, University of Gävle, SE-80176, Gävle, Sweden. David.Hallman@hig.se.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hallman
authors.affiliation: Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Occupational and Public Health Sciences, University of Gävle, SE-80176, Gävle, Sweden. SvendErik.Mathiassen@hig.se.
authors.forename: Svend Erik
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mathiassen
authors.affiliation: Research Centre for Prevention and Health, The Capital Region of Denmark, Glostrup Hospital, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark. mette.aadahl@regionh.dk.|Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1014, Copenhagen, Denmark. mette.aadahl@regionh.dk.
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aadahl
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Lerso Parkalle 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. mbj@nrcwe.dk.
authors.forename: Marie Birk
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Lerso Parkalle 105, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. aho@nrcwe.dk.|Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense, Denmark. aho@nrcwe.dk.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holtermann
mesh_terms: D061725:Accelerometry; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011187:Posture; D012044:Regression Analysis; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013997:Time Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference; D017132:Workplace / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*