Rest-Activity Rhythm Is Associated With Obesity Phenotypes: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Area of Science:

• Chronobiology
• Obesity Research
• Public Health

Background:

• Rising global obesity rates pose significant health challenges.
• Circadian disruption is implicated in various health disorders, including obesity.
• The relationship between rest-activity rhythm (RAR) and excess adiposity remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between rest-activity rhythm (RAR) and general and abdominal obesity.
• To analyze how different metrics of RAR relate to various measures of adiposity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 7,838 US adults (aged ≥20) in the NHANES 2011-2014.
• Assessed RAR parameters (amplitude, mesor, acrophase, pseudo-F, IS, IV) using cosinor and nonparametric methods.
• Correlated RAR metrics with obesity defined by BMI, waist circumference, and imaging-derived adiposity measures.

Main Results:

• Low amplitude, mesor, pseudo-F, and IS, along with high IV, were independently associated with increased odds of general and abdominal obesity (P<.05).
• RAR metrics consistently correlated with all measured adiposity indicators (P<.01).
• Delayed RAR phase was specifically linked to obesity in women.

Conclusions:

• Aberrant rest-activity rhythms are independently associated with anthropometric and imaging markers of obesity.
• Further longitudinal research is needed to determine if RAR metrics can predict future weight gain and obesity incidence.