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Published on: March 7, 2019
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Objectively-measured physical activity patterns and longitudinal weight category status in a rural setting
1Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory, University of Limpopo (Turfloop Campus), P.O. Box 459, Fauna Park, Polokwane, Limpopo Province, 0787, South Africa. ian.cook@ul.ac.za.
BMC Research Notes
|September 25, 2019
Summary
Physical activity (PA) showed a weak association with weight change in rural African adults over 10 years. While many gained weight and met guidelines, others lost weight, indicating complex weight dynamics despite high ambulation.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Weight change is a significant public health concern globally.
- Understanding the interplay between physical activity and weight change is crucial, especially in diverse populations.
- Rural African settings present unique lifestyle and environmental factors influencing health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between longitudinal weight change and objectively measured physical activity (PA) in rural African adults.
- To categorize participants based on weight change over a decade and analyze associated physical activity levels.
- To assess adherence to physical activity guidelines across different weight change trajectories.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from two cross-sectional surveys of 143 adults (≥30 years) approximately 10 years apart.
- Categorized participants into weight-loss, weight-gain, and weight-stable groups based on Body Mass Index (BMI) changes.
- Measured daily ambulation and activity energy expenditure (AEE) using objective methods and analyzed adherence to PA guidelines (150 and 420 min/week).
Main Results:
- 18.2% of the sample experienced weight change, with significant gains (+15.2 kg) and losses (-10.8 kg) in respective groups.
- Nearly 90% of weight-gainers met the 150 min/week PA guideline; weight-stable individuals (<25 kg/m²) were more likely to meet the 420 min/week guideline.
- High ambulatory levels were observed across all groups, with weight-stable individuals averaging ~15,000 steps/day.
- An inconsistent and weak association was found between PA and weight change.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity alone demonstrated a weak association with longitudinal weight change in this rural African cohort.
- Weight stability was associated with higher adherence to more stringent physical activity recommendations.
- Further research is needed to explore other contributing factors to weight change in this population.
