Physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns using accelerometry from a national sample of United States adults

Abstract

BackgroundThis study described the patterns of accelerometer-determined physical activity and sedentary behavior among adults using a nationally representative sample from the United States.MethodsUsing 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data, 7931 adults at least 18 years old wore an ActiGraph accelerometer for one week, providing at least 3 days of wear for >=8 hours/day. Cutpoints defined moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA; >= 2020 and >=760 counts/minute), vigorous physical activity (> = 5999 counts/minute), and sedentary behavior (<100 counts/minute). Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to estimate patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior. All estimates were weighted to reflect the United States population.ResultsFor weighted percent of MVPA out of total wearing time, 5 classes were identified from least to most active: 65.3% of population (weighted mean 9.3 minutes/day), 24.9% (32.1 minutes/day), 3.2% that was low on the weekdays but much higher on the weekends (52.0 minutes/day), 5.9% (59.9 minutes/day), and 0.7% in the highest class (113.6 minutes/day). Using the lower MVPA threshold, 6 classes emerged with each class ranging in population from 1.2% to 43.6%. A vigorous activity class could not be derived due to low prevalence. For weighted percent of sedentary behavior out of total wearing time, 5 classes were identified from most to least sedentary: 6.3% of population (weighted mean 660.2 minutes/day), 25.1% (546.8 minutes/day), 37.7% (453.9 minutes/day), 24.0% (354.8 minutes/day), and 7.0% (256.3 minutes/day). Four of the classes showed generally similar results across every day of the week, with the absolute percents differing across classes. In contrast, the least sedentary class showing a marked rise in percent of time spent in sedentary behavior on the weekend (weighted mean 336.7-346.5 minutes/day) compared to weekdays (weighted mean 255.2-292.4 minutes/day).ConclusionThe LCA models provided a data reduction process to identify patterns using minute-by-minute accelerometry data in order to explore meaningful contrasts. The models supported 5 or 6 distinct patterns for MVPA and sedentary behavior. These physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns can be used as intervention targets and as independent or dependent variables in future studies of correlates, determinants, or outcomes.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12966-015-0183-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Movement Discordance Between Healthy And Non-healthy Us Adults

“…Previous researchers have reported cpm by age and gender [4][5][6][7]19], with decreases in moderate-to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) contributing to the decrease in total activity counts, while light intensity physical activity (LPA) remains stable [4,5,20]. The data in this study support previous studies showing a decrease in cpm with age, and a gender influence with males generally having higher cpm than females until the seventh decade of life.…”

The “Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology” Journal Club Series: Highlights on Recent Papers in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior

“…This pattern, as the literature reports [35], can be used as intervention targets and as independent or dependent variables in future studies to correlate to some determinants or outcomes. In this sixth Journal Club, regarding physical activity and sedentary behavior, I would like to highlight the interesting paper by Sliepen et al [36], published recently in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.…”

Assessing the Exposome with External Measures: Commentary on the State of the Science and Research Recommendations

“…Additional sensors and technologies could be added as part of the data collection protocol and would help provide data on spatial and temporal trends in exposure and could be used to inform future studies. The NHANES, for example, has already deployed accelerometers for measuring physical activity, and these initiatives could yield rich information from a survey that has already been used for internal exposomics inquiries (33).…”