PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIORS CONTRIBUTING TO LOW-AND HIGH ACTIVITY LEVELS MEASURED BY DOUBLY LABELED WATER

Abstract

Doubly labeled water (DLW) derived measures of energy expenditure can be used to estimate physical activity levels (PAL), but they provide no information about specific PA behaviors contributing to higher PALs. PURPOSE: To describe the type and intensity of PA which contribute to higher PALs among middle-aged women. METHODS: Women consumed DLW on day 0 and returned 1, 7, and 14 days later to provide urine samples for DLW determination of total energy expenditure (TEE). Women wore the CSA accelerometer (AM7164) and completed seven 24-hour PA recall (24PAR) interviews during the 14-d period. Women were categorized into quartiles of PAL using predicted resting energy expenditure (REE) values (PAL=TEE/REE). General linear models were used to obtain age-adjusted 24PAR and CSA PA levels across quartiles of PAL and to test for linear trend. RESULTS: Eighty women (age: 49.1 [6.8] yrs; body mass index: 27.0 [4.0] kg/m2, REE: 1272 [113] kcal/d, TEE: 2118 [404] kcal/d, mean [SD]) were evaluated. 24PAR time spent in total, light, and moderate PA increased across the PAL quartiles (PAL1-PAL4). Table values are mean (SE). Higher levels of inactivity on the 24PAR were associated with lower PAL levels (p = 0.02). Individual PA domains (household, occupational, leisure) were not associated with PAL. CSA results (n = 73) were consistent with the 24PAR in that activity counts and duration were positively associated with PAL levels (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The present results are consistent with current public health recommendations to reduce inactive time and to increase PA. Results also suggest an important role for lower intensity activities in achieving higher PA expenditure levels. Supported by NIDDK 52079-02Table: No Caption Available