Abstract
BackgroundPhysical activity (PA) and healthy dietary behaviors (HDB) are two well-documented lifestyle factors influencing body mass index (BMI). This study examined 7-year longitudinal associations between changes in PA, HDB, and BMI among adults using a parallel latent growth curve modeling (LGCM).MethodsWe used prospective cohort data collected by a private company (SimplyWell LLC, Omaha, NE, USA) implementing a workplace health screening program. Data from a total of 2,579 adults who provided valid BMI, PA, and HDB information for at least 5 out of 7 follow-up years from the time they entered the program were analyzed. PA and HDB were subjectively measured during an annual online health survey. Height and weight measured during an annual onsite health screening were used to calculate BMI (kg·m2). The parallel LGCMs stratified by gender and baseline weight status (normal: BMI<25, overweight BMI 25–29.9, and obese: BMI>30) were fitted to examine the longitudinal associations of changes in PA and HDB with change in BMI over years.ResultsOn average, BMI gradually increased over years, at rates ranging from 0.06 to 0.20 kg·m2·year, with larger increases observed among those of normal baseline weight status across genders. The increases in PA and HDB were independently associated with a smaller increase in BMI for obese males (b = -1.70 and -1.98, respectively), and overweight females (b = -1.85 and -2.46, respectively) and obese females (b = -2.78 and -3.08, respectively). However, no significant associations of baseline PA and HDB with changes in BMI were observed.ConclusionsOur study suggests that gradual increases in PA and HDB are independently associated with smaller increases in BMI in overweight and obese adults, but not in normal weight individuals. Further study is warranted to address factors that check increases in BMI in normal weight adults.
Highlights
Obesity is a growing public health concern that affects nearly one-third of the US adult population [1,2] A large body of literature demonstrates the negative impact of obesity on the increased risk of adverse health outcomes such as Type II Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and all-causes of mortality among adults [3,4]
body mass index (BMI) gradually increased over years, at rates ranging from 0.06 to 0.20 kgÁm2Áyear, with larger increases observed among those of normal baseline weight status across genders
Our study suggests that gradual increases in Physical activity (PA) and healthy dietary behaviors (HDB) are independently associated with smaller increases in BMI in overweight and obese adults, but not in normal weight individuals
Summary
Obesity is a growing public health concern that affects nearly one-third of the US adult population [1,2] A large body of literature demonstrates the negative impact of obesity on the increased risk of adverse health outcomes such as Type II Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and all-causes of mortality among adults [3,4]. Physical activity (PA) and diet are the modifiable lifestyle behaviors that play significant roles in achieving and maintaining energy balance for both treatment and prevention of obesity [7,8]. A large body of literature exists demonstrating effective lifestyle intervention strategies for the treatment of obesity [8,12]. Attempts far to examine longitudinal associations of PA and HDB with respect to the risk of obesity have often analyzed the two factors separately or do not concurrently adjust for the potential time-varying confounding effects of the respective behaviors [14,15,16]. Physical activity (PA) and healthy dietary behaviors (HDB) are two well-documented lifestyle factors influencing body mass index (BMI). This study examined 7-year longitudinal associations between changes in PA, HDB, and BMI among adults using a parallel latent growth curve modeling (LGCM)
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