Work‐Related Physical Activity Is Not Associated with Body Mass Index and Obesity

Abstract

GUTIÉ RREZ-FISAC, JUAN L., PILAR GUALLAR-CASTILLÓ N, LUCÍA DÍEZ-GAÑ Á N, ESTHER LÓ PEZ GARCÍA, JOSE R. BANEGAS BANEGAS, AND FERNANDO RODRÍGUEZ ARTALEJO. Work-related physical activity is not associated with body mass index and obesity. Obes Res. 2002;10:270 -276. Objective: To analyze the association of work-related physical activity (WRPA) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with body mass index (BMI) and obesity in the Spanish adult population aged 20 to 60 years. Research Methods and Procedures:The data were taken from the 1993 Spanish National Health Survey. We analyzed a sample of 12,044 men and women representative of the Spanish population aged 20 to 60 years. BMI and frequency of obesity (BMI Ն 30 kg/m 2 ) were obtained from self-reported weight and height. Multiple linear regression and logistic regression models were constructed, adjusting for the main confounding factors. WRPA and LTPA were measured by two questions to classify subjects into four categories of physical activity. Results: Neither mean BMI nor percentage of obesity varied significantly (p Ͼ 0.05) by WRPA. Mean BMI was significantly higher (p Ͻ 0.01) in those who were inactive in their leisure time (25.90 kg/m 2 in men and 24.43 kg/m 2 in women) than in those who reported vigorous activity (24.42 kg/m 2 and 22.97 kg/m 2 in men and women, respectively). The odds ration (OR) for obesity decreased with increasing level of LTPA in both men (OR of 0.64 for vigorous activity) and women (OR ϭ 0.68), showing a statistically significant dose-response relation in both men (for linear trend, p ϭ 0.0021) and women (p ϭ 0.0245). Discussion: These results raise questions about the association between WRPA and obesity and suggest the need to reexamine models of the obesity epidemic that point to automation of the workplace as one of the major explanatory factors.

Lifestyle correlates of anthropometric estimates of body adiposity in an Italian middle-aged and elderly population: a covariance analysis

“…Then, a residual confounding effect on the relationship with BMI is possible. However, our results are in line with the findings of other population studies, 15,70 which found no association between work-related physical activity and BMI. The relationship between leisure-time physical activity and BMI has been found to be stronger in women than men.…”

Associations between active commuting, body fat, and body mass index: population based, cross sectional study in the United Kingdom

“…32 Gutiérrez-Fisac et al suggest that a socioeconomic interpretation may not be plausible, as most studies adjust for socioeconomic position. 30 Instead, the authors suggest that differences in diet and energy intake, factors that are less commonly measured or adjusted for in social epidemiological studies, may explain why greater levels of occupational activity do not appear to translate into lower BMI. 30 In addition, evidence from the MONICA study suggested that individuals with higher levels of occupational physical activity had a higher BMI and a greater risk of fatal myocardial infarction than inactive individuals, even after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors and socioeconomic position.…”

“…30 Instead, the authors suggest that differences in diet and energy intake, factors that are less commonly measured or adjusted for in social epidemiological studies, may explain why greater levels of occupational activity do not appear to translate into lower BMI. 30 In addition, evidence from the MONICA study suggested that individuals with higher levels of occupational physical activity had a higher BMI and a greater risk of fatal myocardial infarction than inactive individuals, even after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors and socioeconomic position. 33 The authors hypothesised that work related physical activity might have different effects on basal metabolic rate than other forms of physical activity, especially when combined with shift working.…”

“…Gutiérrez-Fisac et al (2012) found no association between work related physical activity and BMI in a sample of Spanish workers. 30 Haglund et al found no association between occupational physical activity and BMI in a Swedish sample, 31 and the Healthy Worker Project actually found a positive association between occupational activity level and the presence of obesity. 32 Gutiérrez-Fisac et al suggest that a socioeconomic interpretation may not be plausible, as most studies adjust for socioeconomic position.…”

BMI distribution/social stratification in Swiss conscripts from 1875 to present

“…We suggest that a positive energy balance (decreased energy expenditure by low level of physical activity and/or increased dietary energy intake by relative cheapness of processed foods, large portion sizes, immediate availability of fast foods, high-fat or high-energy diet and so on) is also a major reason for the increased prevalence of overweight Swiss from the 1980s until today; however, the phenomenon has been delayed by at least 30 years compared with the United States (Groscurth et al, 2003;Komlos et al, 2009;Statistisches Amt Basel Stadt, 2009). Although Henneberg and Veitch (2005) found that variance in BMI is strongly influenced by the components of the lean body mass (size of the musclo-skeletal system and the intra-abdominal contents) and not only by the amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue, genetic factors may also be another reason for this variance (James, 2001;Gutiérrez-Fisac et al, 2002;Katzmarzyk, 2002;Dina et al, 2007). However, our historical study shows that only genetic factors became effective in combination with profound changes in lifestyle, which are unique in the history of mankind.…”