Cross - Associations Between Physical Activity and Sedentary Time on Metabolic Health: A Comparative Assessment Using Self-Reported and Objectively Measured Activity

Physical activity and sedentary time have distinct physiologic and metabolic effects, but little is known about their joint associations. Data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (n=5950) was used to i) examine the independent and joint associations of physical activity and sedentary time on obesity and metabolic health, and ii) compare these relationships when using subjective or objective measures. Meeting or not meeting physical activity guidelines was cross-classified with being sedentary or non-sedentary, creating four groups. Analogous self-reported physical activity/sedentary time groups were made. Logistic regression analyses revealed although self-reported groups appeared to display a varied relationship with the outcomes analysed relative to objectively measured groups, the odds of several metabolic risk factors were higher in those who were inactive and sedentary compared to those who were active and non-sedentary. Results also revealed that being active while otherwise sedentary or non-sedentary while otherwise inactive were similarly protective.