Abstract
BackgroundPhysical activity and sedentary behaviour are difficult to assess in overweight and obese adults. However, the use of open-source, raw accelerometer data analysis could overcome this. This study compared raw accelerometer and questionnaire-assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), walking and sedentary behaviour in normal, overweight and obese adults, and determined the effect of using different methods to categorise overweight and obesity, namely body mass index (BMI), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR).MethodsOne hundred twenty adults, aged 24–60 years, wore a raw, tri-axial accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X+), for 3 days and completed a physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ-S). We used open-source accelerometer analyses to estimate MVPA, walking and sedentary behaviour from a single raw accelerometer signal. Accelerometer and questionnaire-assessed measures were compared in normal, overweight and obese adults categorised using BMI, BIA and WHR.ResultsRelationships between accelerometer and questionnaire-assessed MVPA (Rs = 0.30 to 0.48) and walking (Rs = 0.43 to 0.58) were stronger in normal and overweight groups whilst sedentary behaviour were modest (Rs = 0.22 to 0.38) in normal, overweight and obese groups. The use of WHR resulted in stronger agreement between the questionnaire and accelerometer than BMI and BIA. Finally, accelerometer data showed stronger associations with BMI, BIA and WHR (Rs = 0.40 to 0.77) than questionnaire data (Rs = 0.24 to 0.37).ConclusionsOpen-source, raw accelerometer data analysis can be used to estimate MVPA, walking and sedentary behaviour from a single acceleration signal in normal, overweight and obese adults. Our data supports the use of WHR to categorise overweight and obese adults. This evidence helps researchers obtain more accurate measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in overweight and obese populations.
Highlights
Physical activity and sedentary behaviour are difficult to assess in overweight and obese adults
In this study of normal, overweight and obese adults, we found that; 1) relationships between raw accelerometer and questionnaire-assessed sedentary behaviour were modest across all adiposity groups but walking and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) showed stronger associations in normal and overweight groups; 2) the use of waistto-hip ratio (WHR) instead of body mass index (BMI) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) resulted in stronger agreement between accelerometer and questionnaire data; 3) associations between adiposity groups and accelerometer data were stronger than associations between adiposity groups and questionnaire data
We found an overall trend where, irrespective of how adiposity group was classified (BMI, BIA or WHR), lower body weight resulted in stronger relationships between accelerometer and questionnaireassessed sedentary behaviour, walking and MVPA (Rho = 0.14–0.58)
Summary
Physical activity and sedentary behaviour are difficult to assess in overweight and obese adults. This study compared raw accelerometer and questionnaire-assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), walking and sedentary behaviour in normal, overweight and obese adults, and determined the effect of using different methods to categorise overweight and obesity, namely body mass index (BMI), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and waistto-hip ratio (WHR). Strategies to prevent and treat obesity typically promote increased physical activity [1] and reduced sedentary behaviour [2]. Accurate measurements of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in overweight and obese individuals are essential. The measurement of physical activity and sedentary behaviour is carried out using either subjective or objective methods [3]. Many studies have used questionnaires to subjectively assess physical activity and sedentary behaviour [4, 5]. The subjective nature of questionnaires often results in large measurement error [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
