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Maintaining a high physical activity level over 20 years and weight gain
Arlene L Hankinson1, Martha L Daviglus, Claude Bouchard
1Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 680 N Lake Shore Dr, Ste 1400, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. alhankinson@northwestern.edu
JAMA
|December 16, 2010
Summary
Maintaining high physical activity in young adulthood is linked to less weight gain and smaller waist circumference increases over 20 years, especially for women. This supports activity guidelines for long-term weight management.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Limited data exist on physical activity's role in preventing long-term weight gain during peak risk periods.
- Understanding activity's impact on weight is crucial for developing effective public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the 20-year association between habitual physical activity levels and changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference.
- To provide evidence for physical activity guidelines aimed at preventing obesity.
Main Methods:
- The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, a 20-year longitudinal cohort study (1985-2006).
- Participants (n=3554) aged 18-30 years at baseline were categorized into low, moderate, and high habitual activity groups.
- Annual changes in BMI and waist circumference were calculated and analyzed.
Main Results:
- High physical activity was associated with significantly smaller increases in BMI and waist circumference over 20 years compared to low activity.
- Men maintaining high activity gained 2.6 kg less and women gained 6.1 kg less BMI compared to low activity groups.
- High activity was also linked to reduced waist circumference gains in both men and women.
Conclusions:
- Sustained high levels of physical activity during young adulthood may mitigate weight gain into middle age.
- These findings highlight the importance of promoting consistent physical activity for long-term weight management, particularly in women.
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