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Published on: April 21, 2017
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Cohort profile: the Women's Health Accelerometry Collaboration
Kelly R Evenson1, John Bellettiere2, Carmen C Cuthbertson3
1Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA kelly_evenson@unc.edu.
BMJ Open
|November 30, 2021
Summary
This study harmonized data from two large cohorts to examine physical activity and sedentary behavior in older women. Future research will analyze associations with cancer incidence and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
- Physical Activity & Health
Background:
- The Women's Health Accelerometry Collaboration harmonized data from two prospective cohort studies.
- This consortium focuses on women aged 62 years and older.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between accelerometer-assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior with cancer incidence and mortality.
- To leverage harmonized data for robust epidemiological analysis in older women.
Main Methods:
- Included 23,443 women from the Women's Health Study (WHS) and WHI/OPACH Study.
- Used ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometers for 1 week to measure physical activity and sedentary behavior (2011-2014).
- Ascertained cancer outcomes via physician-adjudicated diagnosis and ongoing surveillance.
Main Results:
- The analytical sample (n=22,852) averaged 4976 steps/day and significant minutes of light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity.
- Participants spent an average of 8.7 hours/day in sedentary behavior.
- 11.8% had a cancer diagnosis at baseline; 1378 cancer events (414 fatal) occurred during follow-up.
Conclusions:
- The harmonized cohort provides a valuable resource for investigating physical activity, sedentary behavior, and cancer outcomes.
- Ongoing analysis will quantify these associations, contributing to cancer prevention strategies in older women.
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