Zeitschrift für Adipositas- und Gewichtsverlusttherapie

Abstrakt

Low Physical Activity is Associated with Higher BMI and Body Composition in a Middle-Aged and Elder Swedish Population, whereas Irregular Meals Show Weak Associations

Bodil Ohlsson and Jonas Manjer

Background: Lifestyle habits may affect body weight and body composition. Most studies to examine effects of lifestyle factors are performed in younger subjects and with measurements of body mass index (BMI). The aim of the present cross-sectional population-based study was therefore to explore associations between physical activity and irregularity of meals with BMI, fat percentage, waist/hip ratio, and normal-weight obesity (NWO) in a middle-aged and elder Swedish population.

Methods: Participants of the EpiHealth study, age between 45 and 75 years, had to answer a questionnaire about sociodemographic factors, food and beverage intakes, and health status. Height, weight, and waist and hip circumferences were measured. BMI, fat percentage, and waist/hip ratio were divided into two groups by the median value. Binary logistic regression was used for statistical calculations, with adjustments of sociodemographic factors, smoking, and alcohol habits.

Results: The cohort included 17,724 subjects (9,936 women, 56.1%), median age 61 (53-67) years. Higher leisure time physical activity was inversely associated with BMI, fat percentage, and waist/hip ratio (p for trend<0.001). Physical activity was inversely associated with NWO when compared with lean, and inversely associated with overweight when compared with NWO. The effect of physical activity on BMI and overweight was most pronounced in women, whereas no sex interactions were observed concerning fat percentage and waist/hip ratio. Irregular lunch intake was associated with higher fat percentage (OR: 1.225; 95% CI: 1.024-1.466, p=0.027) and waist/hip ratio (OR: 1.211; 95% CI: 1.033-1.421, p=0.019), independently of sex.

Conclusion: Leisure time physical activity is associated with body weight and body constitution, where physical activity is inversely associated with BMI, fat percentage, and waist/hip ratio. Weak associations between irregular lunch intakes and higher fat percentage and waist/hip ratio were found.