Correlates of physical activity and sedentary behavior in adults living with overweight and obesity: A systematic review

Abstract

SummaryOverweight and obesity are consistently associated with lower physical activity (PA) levels and greater sedentary behavior (SB) in population studies. To date, no review has evaluated the factors associated with these behaviors in the specific population who have developed obesity/overweight. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the correlates/determinants of SB and PA in adults with overweight and obesity. Five databases were searched for studies, which reported factors or outcomes relating to PA or SB in adults living with overweight/obesity, published from 1980 to 2021. The factors were categorized using a socioecological model, strength, and direction of association. Of 34,058 articles retrieved, 45 studies were included, and 155 factors were identified. Self‐efficacy, intrinsic motivation, exercise enjoyment, self‐perceived good health, and social support were consistently associated with higher levels of PA. Consistent negative correlations were married females, increased BMI, obesity severity, pain, number of comorbidities, lack of time, energy, and willpower, and hilly terrain. Few studies (n = 12) examined SB, and no evidence for consistent associations were found. This review identified several correlates specific to PA in this population. Further studies are required to identify directionality and distal correlates for PA and all correlate levels of SB.

School Medical Service: Strategies to Promote Psycho-Physiological Well-Being

“…The most recent studies in the field warn that the acquisition of unhealthy lifestyles and the phenomenon of physical inactivity continue to progress, with percentages of overweight adolescents having more than tripled in the last 20 years [ 49 ]. According to the available data, unfortunately, young people today spend most of their free time in sedentary activities, mainly watching television and playing computer games [ 50 ]. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity are unhealthy behaviors that are harmful from childhood.…”

A qualitative study of perceived barriers and facilitators to interrupting sedentary behavior among adults living with obesity

“…To identify potential participants, a purposive sampling strategy targeting adults with current or past history of a BMI ≥35 kg/m 2 was employed. This cut-point, was chosen to investigate challenges associated with moderate or severe obesity, since BMI and severity of obesity are potentially associated with SB and consistently associated with reduced PA. 14 Initially, GO'D invited the participation of the Irish Coalition of People living with Obesity (ICPO), an advocacy group which provides education, awareness and support to people living with obesity.…”

“…A recent systematic review exploring factors that are associated with SB in adults living with obesity, identified only 12 studies with few and weak associations, found no evidence for a consistent association and found no qualitative studies examining SB associations in this population. 14 Furthermore, while qualitative studies have focused on perceived determinants of weight loss, 15 obesity management, 16 physical activity, 17 healthy lifestyle or nutrition 18 in adults with obesity or adolescents, 19 few use a theoretical framework from study design through analysis. 20,21 Evidence for the effectiveness of SB interventions is also mixed or lacking, particularly outside the workplace, 22 and although some non-workplace interventions show promise, few target adults with obesity or explicitly report theoretical constructs 23 which would enhance replicability.…”

Interrupting sitting acutely attenuates cardiometabolic risk markers in South Asian adults living with overweight and obesity

“…Overweight and obesity is associated with lower physical activity and higher sedentary time in the general population (Gibbs et al 2017 ; Van Dyck et al 2015 ). Increased physical activity engagement in individuals with overweight and obesity is related to self-perceived good health, self-efficacy, social support and exercise enjoyment (Curran et al 2023 ). There is some evidence that being an office worker, severity of obesity and number of comorbidities is related to greater sedentary time (Curran et al 2023 ).…”

“…Increased physical activity engagement in individuals with overweight and obesity is related to self-perceived good health, self-efficacy, social support and exercise enjoyment (Curran et al 2023 ). There is some evidence that being an office worker, severity of obesity and number of comorbidities is related to greater sedentary time (Curran et al 2023 ). Higher sedentary time is detrimentally associated with cardiometabolic risk markers (such as fasting glucose and triglycerides [TAG]) and incidence of type 2 diabetes, CVD and CVD mortality (Bailey et al 2019 ; Healy et al 2011 ; Patterson et al 2018 ).…”