Insufficient Leisure-time Physical Activity Research Articles

Domain-specific Physical Activity and the Risk of All-cause Mortality among Middle-aged and Older Adults in Taiwan: A Prospective Cohort Study.

The impact of meeting leisure time physical activity (LTPA) recommendations and household physical activity (HPA) on all-cause mortality in the Taiwanese population is unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between sufficient LTPA and all-cause mortality in middle-aged and older Taiwanese adults and the role of HPA in those with insufficient LTPA. This nationwide prospective cohort study included 4,960 participants aged ≥50 years from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study in Aging (TLSA) survey. Physical activity patterns were assessed in 2003 and then followed up until 2015 for mortality through the National Death Registration Record. Cox proportional hazards regression was conducted to evaluate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all-cause mortality. Of the 4,960 participants, 1712 died of all-cause mortality. Compared to those who had insufficient LTPA, participants who engaged in sufficient LTPA showed a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR=0.84, 95% CI, 0.73-0.97). For those with insufficient LTPA, HPA also had a significantly reduced risk of all-cause mortality (HR=0.85, 95% CI, 0.75-0.96) among general population. Similar associations were observed in subsequent sensitivity analyses. The subgroup analysis showed that the relationship between HPA and reduced mortality risk was only found in the women with insufficient LTPA group. This study confirmed that sufficient LTPA is associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality. If sufficient LTPA cannot be performed, additional HPA is related to lower mortality.

Current and future costs of cancer attributable to insufficient leisure-time physical activity in Brazil.

Cancer is an increasing cause of death and disability in Brazil and a pivotal vector for growing health expenditures. Lower levels of leisure-time physical activity are associated with a higher risk of some cancers. We quantified the current and future cancer direct healthcare costs attributable to insufficient leisure-time physical activity in Brazil. We performed a macrosimulation model using: (i) relative risks from meta-analyses; (ii) prevalence data of insufficient leisure-time physical activity in adults ≥ 20 years; (iii) national registries of healthcare costs of adults ≥ 30 years with cancer. We used simple linear regression to predict cancer costs as a function of time. We calculated the potential impact fraction (PIF) considering the theoretical-minimum-risk exposure and other counterfactual scenarios of physical activity prevalence. We projected that the costs of breast, endometrial, and colorectal cancers may increase from US$ 630 million in 2018 to US$ 1.1 billion in 2030 and US$ 1.5 billion in 2040. The costs of cancer attributable to insufficient leisure-time physical activity may increase from US$ 43 million in 2018 to US$ 64 million in 2030. Increasing leisure-time physical activity could potentially save US$ 3 million to US$ 8.9 million in 2040 by reducing the prevalence of insufficient leisure-time physical activity in 2030. Our results may be helpful to guide cancer prevention policies and programs in Brazil.

Temporal Trend in the Coexistence of Risk Behaviors for Noncommunicable Diseases in Brazil: 2009–2019

Individuals can accumulate multiple risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, increasing the chance of adverse health outcomes. We aimed to analyze the temporal trend in the coexistence of risk behaviors for noncommunicable diseases and their association with sociodemographic characteristics among adults in Brazil from 2009 through 2019. This cross-sectional study and time-series analysis was based on data collected by the Surveillance System for Risk Factors and Protection for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigitel) from 2009 through 2019 (N = 567,336). We used item response theory to identify the coexistence of risk behaviors (infrequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, smoking, abusive alcohol consumption, insufficient leisure-time physical activity). We used Poisson regression models to assess the temporal trend in the prevalence of the coexistence of noncommunicable disease-related risk behaviors and associated sociodemographic characteristics. Risk behaviors that most contributed to the occurrence of coexistence were smoking, consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, and alcohol abuse. Coexistence was more frequent among men and was inversely associated with age and education level. During the study period, we found a significant decrease in coexistence (adjusted prevalence ratio decreased from 0.99 in 2012 to 0.94 in 2019; P = .001), especially before 2015 (adjusted prevalence ratio = 0.94; P = .001). We found a reduction in the frequency of the coexistence of noncommunicable disease-related risk behaviors and their association with sociodemographic characteristics. It is necessary to implement effective actions to reduce risk behaviors, especially behaviors that lead to a greater coexistence of those behaviors.

Birth-related and current factors associated with physical inactivity in the leisure time in Brazilian adolescents.

BackgroundTo determine whether biological and sociodemographic factors at birth and current factors are associated with insufficient physical activity during leisure among Brazilian adolescents.MethodsA school-based cross-sectional study with national coverage was conducted involving Brazilian adolescents 12 to 17 years of age in municipalities with more than 100 thousand residents. The sample consisted of 74,589 adolescents who participated in the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents. Insufficient leisure-time physical activity was categorized based on total volume (<300 minutes/week = insufficiently active; >300 minutes/week = sufficiently active). Poisson regression models were used to assess associated factors.ResultsMost adolescents were classified as insufficiently active (54.8%; 95%CI: 53.7–55.9). The variables associated with insufficient physical activity during leisure were the female sex (70.4%; 95%CI: 68.8–71.9), age between 15 and 17 years (57.8%; 95%CI: 56.3–59.2), pertaining to the low or middle class (54.5%; 95%CI: 52.8–56.1), and not being overweight (55.9%; 95%CI: 54.6–57.1).ConclusionContrary to our hypothesis, birth related factors (e.g., low birth weight, preterm birth and exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age) are not associated with physical inactivity. The prevalence of insufficient physical activity during leisure was high among the adolescents evaluated and was associated with sociodemographic characteristics as well as nutritional status. It is necessary to implement strategies focused on physical activity at schools.

Factors associated with the level of physical activity in a multi-ethnic pregnant population \u2013 a cross-sectional study at the time of diagnosis with gestational diabetes

BackgroundRegular physical activity during pregnancy can prevent several adverse health outcomes during this period of a woman’s life. Previous studies have shown that many women do not meet national recommendations for physical activity. This study aims to examine factors associated with sufficient leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in a multicultural sample of pregnant women recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study among 238 pregnant women. The women were recruited at diabetes outpatient clinics in the Oslo region of Norway from October 2015 to April 2017. The participants reported their activity levels using the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). Pearson’s chi-square tests were used to assess differences in socio-demographic, health and pregnancy-related characteristics in relation to sufficient and insufficient LTPA, and logistic regression modelling was employed to predict the likelihood of insufficient LTPA.ResultsLess than half of the women in the sample (44.5%) had sufficient LTPA according to the minimum of ≥600 Met minutes per week. The majority of women were motivated to be physically active during pregnancy (84.9%). A low joint family income and being over 38 years of age increased the odds of not having sufficient LTPA. Women with sufficient LTPA had significantly higher scores of perceived health (p = 0.007).ConclusionsThe study indicates that pregnant women need to be better informed about the positive effects of physical activity on individually perceived health. To address the low levels of LTPA among pregnant women, communication strategies must be tailored towards women with low socio-economic backgrounds.Trial registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02588729

The decrease in the physical activity levels during the COVID-19 social distancing period

Aim: Social distancing policies to combat the pandemic of COVID-19 directly impacted the physical activity (PA) index of the population. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with insufficient leisure-time PA and the changing behavior of residents of the city of Sao Paulo, the epicenter of the pandemic in Brazil. Methods: The questionnaire used in this research was made available online and included questions on demographics and physical activity. A total of 1.096 adult residents of Sao Paulo completed the questionnaire between July 8th and August 8th, 2020. Results: For individuals who were already physically active before the restrictions, a total of 55.8% of the sample kept insufficiently active during the quarantine. Factors such as education, working conditions, and direct relationship with Covid-19 care were associated with decreased leisure-time PA practice, impacting 57.6% of the sample, especially females. People with less formal education, those who possibly changed their routines to working from home, and those who were directly connected to Covid cases were not able to maintain a daily PA routine. Conclusion: The data presented here warn about the impacts of the pandemic on engagement in PA, suggesting the need for incentives from intersectoral public policies on sports, leisure, and health to perform these activities.

Cardiovascular risk factors in students at a public college institution in Brazil

Objective: To compare the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in university students from a Brazilian public higher education institution between three surveys. Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with 1,084, 1,085, and 1,041 university students in 2010, 2012, and 2014, respectively, from an institution located in Bahia, Brazil. Outcomes were cardiovascular risk factors: overweight, leisure-time physical activity for &lt; 150 min per week, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, consumption of meat and chicken with fat, fried snacks, soft drinks or artificial juices, smoking, drinking alcohol abuse, and negative self-assessment of stress in life. The independent variable was the year of the survey.The measure of association was the Prevalence Ratio (PR). The significance level was 5%. Results: In all surveys, there was a higher prevalence of college students with insufficient leisure-time physical activity, low consumption of fruits and vegetables, consumption of fatty and savory meat, and negative self-assessment of stress. Overweight and consumption of chicken with fat increased over the years of the survey. Prevalence decreased in the last survey among college students concerning the consumption of fruits, vegetables, snacks, and artificial soft drinks or juices (PR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.52–0.84). Conclusions: There was an increase in overweight; however, there were also positive modifications in eating habits among college students.

Prevalence and associated factors with insufficient leisure-time physical activity of adolescents: results of a cross-sectional school population-based study

&lt;p&gt;Objetivo: estimar la prevalencia y los factores asociados con una actividad física insuficiente (AFI) en el tiempo libre entre los adolescentes de una ciudad mediana en el estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Métodos: Los datos de la encuesta transversal ACtVU (Uberaba - MG, Brasil) realizada entre mayo y octubre de 2015. Los estudiantes de secundaria de ambos sexos (de 14 a 18 años) comprendieron la muestra. AFI (&amp;lt;300 minutos/semana) fue la variable dependiente y los indicadores sociodemográficos, de comportamiento y de salud fueron las variables independientes evaluadas mediante cuestionarios. Se utilizó la regresión logística binaria para estimar la Odds Ratio (OR). El IMC se utilizó como variable de control. Resultados: 984 estudiantes participaron en este estudio. El porcentaje de AFI fue del 44,9% (IC95%: 41,7; 48,1) y fue mayor entre las niñas (57,1% frente al 29,3% en los niños). Se encontró una mayor probabilidad de AFI en: la calificación para ambos sexos (OR = 2.23 niños, OR = 2.28 niñas), tiempo de pantalla entre semana (OR = 1.29), uso excesivo de teléfonos inteligentes durante la semana (OR = 1.54) y los fines de semana (OR = 1.22) entre niños, que estudian esta noche (OR = 1.80), que tienen un trabajo (OR = 1.24), ingresos familiares (OR = 1.41 para 3 a 5 salarios mínimos y OR = 1.65 para ≥ 6 salarios mínimos), tiempo de pantalla entre semana (OR = 1.87) e insatisfacción con el propio peso (OR = 1.32) entre las niñas. Conclusión: la prevalencia de AFI fue alta. La mayoría de los factores asociados fueron diferentes en niños y niñas.&lt;/p&gt;

Factors Associated with the Leisure-Time Physical Activity (LTPA) during the First Trimester of the Pregnancy: The Cross-Sectional Study among Pregnant Women in Serbia.

Background: The benefits of physical activity during pregnancy include lower maternal weight gain, a lower likelihood of gestational diabetes, low back pain, preeclampsia, preterm delivery, caesarian delivery, and macrosomia. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with insufficient leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) during the first trimester. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology of Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, between January and June of 2018. The final analyses included 162/175 pregnant women. The questionnaire was used to obtain social characteristics, pregnancy, and lifestyle characteristics (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System—PRAMS), pre-pregnancy LTPA (International Physical Activity Questionnaire—IPAQ), and LTPA during the first trimester (Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire—PPAQ). Women were classified into two groups of sufficient and insufficient LTPA during the first trimester based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied. Results: A total of 27.2% of the women had insufficient LTPA during pregnancy. Insufficient LTPA during pregnancy was associated with <12 years of education (OR: 2.3, 95% CI: 1.05–5.04), self-rated financial status as poor (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.14–0.79), and hours spent walking before pregnancy (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77–0.99). Conclusions: Our results can help direct health care professionals advice for women who are planning pregnancy towards walking as it seems to be sustained during pregnancy.

Prevalence and simultaneity of cardiovascular risk factors in elderly participants of a population-based study in southern Brazil.

To investigate the prevalence of simultaneity of cardiovascular risk factors and their association with socio-demographic characteristics in older adults in Southern Brazil. Cross-sectional study with 1.553 elderly participants of the EpiFloripa study in Florianópolis-SC. The risk factors evaluated were: Inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, insufficient leisure-time physical activity, alcohol consumption and smoking. The construction of the outcome was performed by combining all of the factors mentioned and then categorized. Bivariate and multivariate analyzes were performed using the Poisson regression. It was found that 57.6% of the elderly coexist with the simultaneity of cardiovascular risk factors. The combination of inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption and insufficient leisure-time physical activity was the most prevalent. The highest prevalence observed in women and men was the insufficient leisure-time physical activity and inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption of 46.4 and 28.1%, respectively. The observed prevalence of the four factors was higher among men (2.5%), whereas for women (0.3%). Men were 11.0% more likely to accumulate risk factors compared to women. And each additional year of schooling represents 4.0% less probability of accumulating cardiovascular risk factors. The differences between the simultaneity of risk factors and sociodemographic aspects should be considered in the approach for older adults, both at the individual level and in the construction of public policies.

Personal and behavioral correlates of total and domain-specific sedentary behaviors in older Taiwanese adults

BackgroundEvidence of the harmful health effects of sedentary behavior is emerging; however, little is known about domain-specific sedentary behavior correlates. Thus, in this study, the personal and behavioral correlates of total and domain-specific sedentary behavior in older Taiwanese adults were identified.MethodThe sample comprised 1046 older adults (aged ≥65 years). Cross-sectional data on self-administered personal behavioral variables and time spent engaging in domain-specific sedentary behavior were obtained using computer-assisted telephone-based interviews. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed.ResultsThose aged older than 75 years were less likely to have longer total sedentary, computer use, and transportation times. Compared to women, older men were more likely to have longer total sedentary and transportation times. Older adults with low educational levels were less likely to have longer total sedentary and computer use times but were more likely to have an excessive television (TV) viewing time (≥2 h/day). Older adults who lived alone and were overweight had a longer TV viewing time. Furthermore, unemployment was associated with an excessive TV viewing time and shorter transportation time. Older adults residing in nonmetropolitan areas had lower total sedentary, TV viewing, and computer use times. Older adults who engaged in insufficient leisure time physical activity were more likely to have longer total sedentary and transportation times.ConclusionsBoth common and distinct personal and behavioral factors were associated with total and domain-specific sedentary behavior. Interventions for reducing total and domain-specific sedentary behavior should focus on both common and distinct subgroups of the Taiwanese older population.

Association of insufficient physical activity with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in individuals aged 50 years or more

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the association of insufficient physical activity in different domains with sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity in patients aged ³50 years. Methods: The sample consisted of 770 males and females. Sarcopenia was diagnosed when the individual had: (1) low muscle mass and muscle strength; or (2) low walking speed and low muscle mass; sarcopenic obesity was diagnosed when individuals were at risk of obesity and sarcopenia. Muscle mass was given by a predictive equation, and then the muscle mass index (in kg/m²) was given by muscle mass divided by height squared. Muscle strength, in kg, was given by measuring handgrip strength with a digital dynamometer. The 4m walk test evaluated walking sped. Low muscle mass, muscle strength, and walking speed were defined as the respective values below the 25th percentile, and risk of obesity was defined as body mass index ³25kg/m2. Results: Habitual physical activity was investigated by a questionnaire. Insufficient leisure-time physical activity was associated with sarcopenia (OR=2.55; 95%CI=1.10-5.88). In addition, insufficient leisure-time physical activity (OR=4.75; 95%CI=1.64-13.72), leisure-time and commuting physical activities (OR=2.49; 95%CI=1.02-6.11, and habitual physical activity (OR=3.55; 95%CI=1.0-11.79) were associated with sarcopenic obesity. Conclusion: Insufficient physical activity is associated with sarcopenia or sarcopenic obesity in the study individuals aged ³50years.

65세 이상 노인의 근골격계 질환 유병률과 여가 시간 신체활동량 및 체질량 지수의 관계

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and leisure time physical activity and body mass index in older adults. Although many studies has covered this subject of research, the general relationship between these three factors is not well determined. We pooled data from the survey which Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination conducted in 2014 with 1,234 subjects 65 years and over by age. We used logistic regression using complex sampling to assess the relationship. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was higher in the groups with insufficient leisure time physical activity regardless of exceeding body mass index. On the contrary to these, the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was lower in the groups with sufficient leisure time physical activity. This study indicated that the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders was associated with in insufficient leisure time physical activity in older adults. This study suggests that the older people should improve the level of leisure time physical activity in their daily life.

The Regularities in Insufficient Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Poland.

Background: Insufficient physical activity (PA) has become an increasing risk factor of noncommunicable diseases and an important cause of deaths all over the world. The goal of this paper is to provide an in-depth description of insufficient PA in Poland as well as an examination of some of its correlates. Methods: We take advantage of statistical and econometric (logistic regression) analysis on the basis of a representative survey. Out of 3056 respondents, we analyze the 1260 low-PA ones. Results: The household size is more significant than the household life phase, and only several professions increase the odds of insufficient PA. The influence of socioeconomic status and place of residence is most robust. Gender does not significantly influence insufficient PA. Physical inactivity is concentrated among inhabitants of rural areas and town dwellers, with poor educational profile, and limited labor market opportunities. However, even high socioeconomic status does not completely prevent insufficient activity. Conclusions: Groups at the highest risk of inactivity should be covered by promotional actions first. Their aim should mainly be raising the leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) awareness. To start with, primary forms of activity would be walking, Nordic walking and jogging.

Relationship between social capital indicators and lifestyle in Brazilian adults.

The present study examined the relationship between indicators of social capital and health-related behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 1,062 participants representative of the population aged 40 years or older from a city in Southern Brazil. The following indicators of social capital were examined: number of friends, number of people they could borrow money from when in need; extent of trust in community members; number of times members of the community help each other; community safety; and extent of membership in community activities. Also, an overall score of social capital including all indicators was calculated. A poor social capital was associated with insufficient leisure-time physical activity (OR = 1.70; 95%CI: 1.07-2.70), low consumption of fruits and vegetables (OR = 1.53; 95%CI: 1.05-2.24), and smoking (OR = 1.97; 95%CI: 1.21-3.21). No clear association was found between capital social and binge drinking. A score of social capital showed an inverse relationship with the number of prevalent risk behaviors (p < 0.001). These results reinforce that policies to promote health should consider social capital.

Desnutrição e sua associação com atividades durante o lazer entre adolescentes

The scope of this study is to analyze the prevalence of malnutrition among adolescents in two Brazilian cities and to analyze possible associations with leisure-time physical activity. 2782 adolescents ranging from 10 to 17 years of age enrolled in public and private schools from a city in the southeastern and another in the southern region participated in the study. Body weight and height were duly recorded. Physical activity was assessed: sports, walking; cycling and watching television. The Chi-square and Poisson regression tests were applied. The prevalence of malnutrition was 13%, being higher among females (14.5%) than among males (11.9%) (p = 0.047). Practicing sport was associated with a lower occurrence of the condition (p = 0.001). The prevalence of malnutrition was significantly lower among those who maintained moderate walking frequency in comparison with those who walked less. The overall prevalence of malnutrition in this study was considered to be high. In addition to this, inadequate nutritional status in adolescents seems associated with risk-related health behavior, such as insufficient leisure-time physical activity.

Occupational physical activity and risk of coronary heart disease among active and non-active working-women of North Dakota: A Go Red North Dakota study

Currently less than half of the US adults meet physical activity (PA) recommendations, yet many more are sedentary in their occupations. Sedentary workers may therefore be at elevated risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Therefore, the objective of the study is to examine the relationship of CHD risk with occupational PA (OCPA) and leisure time PA (LTPA) among working-women. The 10-year CHD risk and relative risk scores were calculated for 642 working-women. Self-report questionnaire determined levels of OCPA and LTPA. Biometric data were directly collected on all women. No direct relationship for OCPA and 'high risk' of CHD was determined. Insufficient LTPA was significantly associated with greater prevalence of 'high risk' of CHD. No dose response relationship was determined with PA and CHD risk. The odds of being 'high risk' were significantly greater for sedentary workers with insufficient LTPA compared to sufficient LTPA. The odds for being 'high risk' were similar among moderately active or heavy working women completing insufficient LTPA compared to women doing sufficient LTPA. For women with sedentary occupations, a sufficient amount of LTPA is essential to reduce CHD risk. Women in moderate to heavy working occupations may be acquiring adequate amounts of PA to minimize CHD risk.

Occupational Physical Activity and the Metabolic Syndrome Among Working Women: A Go Red North Dakota Study

To examine the association of metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) with occupational physical activity (OCPA) and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among working women. The prevalence of MetSyn was calculated for 642 working women. Self-report questionnaire was used to determine levels of OCPA and LTPA and other lifestyle factors. Biometric data were directly collected on all women. No direct relationship for OCPA and the MetSyn was determined. Sufficient LTPA however, was significantly associated with lower prevalence of MetSyn. No dose response relationship was determined with PA and MetSyn. The odds of having MetSyn was significantly higher for sedentary workers with insufficient LTPA compared with those achieving sufficient LTPA. The odds for MetSyn were similar among women employed in moderately active or heavy work yet completing insufficient LTPA compared with women doing sufficient LTPA. For women with sedentary occupations, a sufficient amount of LTPA is essential to reduce the risk of having the MetSyn. Women in moderate to heavy working occupations may be acquiring adequate amounts of PA to avoid having the MetSyn.

Prevalence and social distribution of risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases in Brazil

To assess risk factors for chronic noncommunicable disease (CND) and to identity social inequalities in their distribution among the adult Brazilian population. Study of CND risk factors (including tobacco use, overweight and obesity, low fruit and vegetable intake (LFVI), insufficient leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), sedentary lifestyle, and alcohol abuse, among other risks) in a probabilistic sample of 54 369 individuals from Brazil's 26 state capitals and Federal District, in 2006, using the Surveillance System of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases through Telephone Interviews (VIGITEL), a computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) survey system, and calculated age-adjusted prevalence ratios for trends in education levels using Poisson regression with linear models. Men reported higher tobacco use, overweight, LFVI, sedentary lifestyle, and alcohol abuse versus women, but lower insufficient LTPA. In men, education was associated with increased overweight and sedentary lifestyle, but decreased tobacco use, LFVI, and insufficient LTPA. Among women, education was associated with decreased tobacco use, overweight, obesity, LFVI, and insufficient LTPA, but increased sedentary lifestyle. In Brazil, prevalence of CND risk factors (except insufficient LTPA) is higher in men. For both sexes, the CND risk factor prevalence ratio is influenced by level of education.

Leisure activity and occupational sitting: Associations with daily steps and body mass index in mid-aged women

Introduction: This cross-sectional study assessed the association of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and occupational sitting, with both daily step counts and body mass index (BMI) in mid-age women. Methods: 158 women aged 54–59 years were measured for height and weight, wore a pedometer for 7 days, and reported minutes of LTPA (walking, moderate activity and vigorous activity), and degree of occupational sitting. Sufficient LTPA was defined as 600 MET mins/week. Four groups were formed: (1) hi LTPA–low sit: sufficient LTPA and little/no occupational sitting (n = 52), (2) hi LTPA–hi sit: sufficient LTPA and mostly/all occupational sitting (n = 29), (3) low LTPA–low sit: insufficient LTPA and little/no occupational sitting (n = 43), and (4) low LTPA–hi sit: insufficient LTPA and mostly/all occupational sitting (n = 34). ANOVA was used to examine group differences in mean steps/day and BMI. Results: Mean (S.D.) steps/day for each group was hi LTPA–low sit: 9997 (2854); hi LTPA–hi sit: 9424 (3120); low LTPA–low sit: 8995 (2965); low LTPA–hi sit: 7276 (2816); (F = 6.139, p < .001). Mean (S.D.) for BMI was hi LTPA–low sit: 25.5 (3.9); hi LTPA–hi sit: 26.9 (4.1); low LTPA–low sit: 26.5 (4.7); low LTPA–hi sit: 29.7 (7.9); (F = 4.57, p < .005). Mean steps/day were significantly lower and BMI was significantly higher in the low LTPA–hi sit group than in the other three groups. No other differences were significant. Conclusions: These results suggest that it might be important to target both leisure-time activity and occupational sitting to increase daily steps and promote healthy BMI in mid-aged women.