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Physical Activity and Obesity Risk in Adults in Colombia: The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) Study
Gary O'Donovan, Daniel Martínez1, Jose P López-López1
1Instituto Masira, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas y de la Salud, Universidad de Santander (UDES), Bucaramanga, COLOMBIA.
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|April 22, 2024
Summary
Engaging in moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity is linked to reduced obesity risk in Colombian adults. This finding holds even for busy individuals, highlighting the importance of regular exercise for weight management.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Obesity is a growing public health concern globally and in Colombia.
- Understanding the role of physical activity in obesity prevention is crucial, especially in populations with high levels of light-intensity activity.
- The Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) study provides a valuable dataset for investigating these associations in Colombia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the longitudinal relationship between different levels of physical activity and the risk of obesity in Colombian adults.
- To determine if moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity can mitigate obesity risk, even in a population accustomed to light-intensity activities.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal cohort study using data from the PURE study in Colombia (2005-2019).
- Physical activity assessed by intensity (light, moderate, vigorous) and categorized into low, medium, and high levels (MET·min·wk -1 ).
- Obesity defined by body mass index (BMI ≥30 kg·m -2 ); analyses adjusted for confounders like age, sex, smoking, diet, and sedentary time.
Main Results:
- Analysis included 3086 adults (mean age 51 ± 9 yr).
- Compared to the low physical activity group, medium activity was associated with 33% lower odds of obesity (OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.53-0.85).
- High physical activity was associated with 22% lower odds of obesity (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.62-0.98), with similar findings in never-smokers.
Conclusions:
- Increased participation in moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of obesity in Colombian adults.
- These findings suggest that even individuals with high daily light-intensity activity can benefit from incorporating more moderate- and vigorous-intensity exercise.
- The results underscore the importance of promoting structured physical activity for obesity prevention in diverse populations.
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