Device-measured physical activity and sedentary time in a national sample of Luxembourg residents: the ORISCAV-LUX 2 study

Abstract

Background: Existing information about population physical activity (PA) levels and sedentary time in Luxembourg are based on self-reported data.

Methods: This observational study included Luxembourg residents aged 18-79y who each provided ≥4 valid days of triaxial accelerometry in 2016-18 (n=1122). Compliance with the current international PA guideline (≥150 min moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) per week, irrespective of bout length) was quantified and variability in average 24h acceleration (indicative of PA volume), awake-time PA levels, sedentary time and accumulation pattern were analysed by linear regression. Data were weighted to be nationally representative.

Results: Participants spent 51% of daily time sedentary (mean (95% confidence interval (CI)): 12.1 (12.0 to 12.2) h/day), 11% in light PA (2.7 (2.6 to 2.8) h/day), 6% in MVPA (1.5 (1.4 to 1.5) h/day), and remaining time asleep (7.7 (7.6 to 7.7) h/day). Adherence to the PA guideline was high (98.1%). Average 24h acceleration and light PA were higher in women than men, but men achieved higher average accelerations across the most active periods of the day. Women performed less sedentary time and shorter sedentary bouts. Older participants (aged ≥55y) registered a lower average 24h acceleration and engaged in less MVPA, more sedentary time and longer sedentary bouts. Average 24h acceleration was higher in participants of lower educational attainment, who also performed less sedentary time, shorter bouts, and fewer bouts of prolonged sedentariness. Average 24h acceleration and levels of PA were higher in participants with standing and manual occupations than a sedentary work type, but manual workers registered lower average accelerations across the most active periods of the day. Standing and manual workers accumulated less sedentary time and fewer bouts of prolonged sedentariness than sedentary workers. Active commuting to work was associated with higher average 24h acceleration and MVPA, both of which were lower in participants of poorer self-rated health and higher weight status. Obesity was associated with less light PA, more sedentary time and longer sedentary bouts.

Conclusions: Adherence to recommended PA is high in Luxembourg, but half of daily time is spent sedentary. Specific population subgroups will benefit from targeted efforts to replace sedentary time with PA.

Keywords: Adults; Behaviour; Correlates; Demographic factors; Health status; Inactivity; Lifestyle; Obesity; Sitting; Socioeconomic factors.

Fig. 1

Adherence to the former (≥150 min MVPA/week in bouts ≥10 min) and current (≥150 min MVPA/week irrespective of bout duration) physical activity guidelines for adults, stratified by sex and age group. Data are weighted proportions

Fig. 2

Radar plots illustrating Mx metrics that represent the acceleration above which the most active 480 min (one-third), 120 min, 60 min, 30 min, and 15 min of the day were accumulated, stratified by sex (top), smoking status (middle), and work type (bottom). The data are weighted estimated marginal means and represent the average acceleration above which the most active ‘x’ min of the day were performed (minutes did not need to be performed continuously or in bouts). For example, women exceeded 134.8 mg for a total of 15 min across the day, and men exceeded 144.4 mg for a total of 15 min across the day. Full results including 95% confidence intervals and p-values are presented in Table S3

Fig. 3

The proportion of total sedentary time accumulated in bouts of at least 60 and 120 min, stratified by age group (top) and work type (bottom). The data are weighted means and error bars represent 95% confidence intervals