Leisure-time physical activity and occupational sitting: Associations with steps/day and BMI in 54-59 year old Australian women

Objective: To assess whether combinations of leisure-time physical activity (PA) and occupational sitting were associated with steps/day and objectively measured body mass index (BMI) in women aged 54-59 years. Methods: In 2005, 158 women (age = 56.4 ± 1.4) living in Brisbane, Australia, were measured for height and weight, wore a pedometer for 7 days, and reported frequency and duration of leisure-time PA and extent of occupational sitting. Four groups were formed: (1) sufficiently active and some/little/no occupational sitting (n = 52); (2) sufficiently active and mostly/all occupational sitting (n = 29);(3) insufficiently active and some/little/no occupational sitting (n = 43); and (4) insufficiently active and mostly/all occupational sitting (n = 34). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine group differences in mean steps/day and BMI. Results: Mean ± standard deviation (SD) steps/day for each group (indicated by numerical order above) was: (1) 9997 ± 2854; (2) 9424 ± 3120; (3) 8995 ± 2965; (4) 7276 ± 2816 [F(3,154) = 6.139, p = .001]. BMI (kg/m²) was: (1) 25.5 ± 3.9); (2) 26.9 ± 4.1; (3) 26.5 ± 4.7; (4) 29.7 ± 7.9 [F(3,154) = 4.57, p = .004]. Mean steps/day were significantly lower, and BMI significantly higher, in group 4 than in all other groups. No other differences were significant. Conclusions: These cross-sectional data suggest that it might be important to consider both leisure-time PA and occupational sitting when considering strategies to increase steps/day and promote healthy BMI in mid-age women.