Associations of objectively measured sedentary behavior, light activity, and markers of cardiometabolic health in young women

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the associations among objectively measured sedentary behavior, light physical activity, and markers of cardiometabolic health in young women.

Methods: Cardiovascular disease risk factors, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid accumulation product, and inflammatory markers were measured in 50 young, adult women. Accelerometers were worn over 7 days to assess sedentary time (<150 counts min(-1)), light physical activity (150-2,689 counts min(-1)), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; ≥2,690 counts min(-1)). Multivariate regression examined independent associations of sedentary behavior and light physical activity with cardiometabolic health. Covariates included MVPA, cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) and body mass, and body composition.

Results: Sedentary behavior was associated with triglycerides (p = 0.03) and lipid accumulation product (p = 0.02) independent of MVPA. These associations were attenuated by VO2peak and body mass or body composition (p ≥ 0.05). Light physical activity was independently associated with triglycerides and lipid accumulation product after adjustment for all covariates (p < 0.05). The association between light physical activity and HOMA-IR was independent of MVPA (p = 0.02) but was attenuated by VO2peak and body mass or body composition (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Sedentary behavior and light physical activity were independently associated with markers of cardiometabolic health in young, adult women. Our data suggest that VO2peak and body composition may be important mediators of these associations. Decreasing sedentary behavior and increasing light physical activity may be important for maintaining cardiometabolic health in young, adult women.