Associations Between Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, And Fat Distribution In Racially Diverse Females

Non-Hispanic (NH) Black and Asian females are disproportionally affected by cardiometabolic diseases (CMD). Physiological outcomes such as body mass index and body fat percentage and lifestyle behavior outcomes such as physical activity are commonly evaluated in relation to CMD risk. However, fat distribution patterns (e.g., storing more fat abdominally) and sedentary behavior (SB) may also help define disease risk profiles in at-risk minority females. PURPOSE: This study investigated the association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), SB, and fat distribution in NH Black and Asian females. METHODS: 88 NH Black (n = 44) and East Asian (n = 44) female participants (Age: 22.6 ± 3.8 yrs, BMI: 23.8 ± 3.5 kg/m2) were enrolled in this study. Participants self-reported minutes of moderate and vigorous physical activity per week and minutes of sitting per weekday using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form). Fat distribution was evaluated by android/gynoid percent fat (A/G) ratio measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. A Pearson’s r correlation evaluated the association between MVPA and SB. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between A/G ratio (dependent variable) and MVPA and SB, while adjusting for age, race, and BMI. RESULTS: There was not a significant correlation between MVPA and SB (r = -0.109, 95% CI: -0.330, 0.125, p = 0.361). Minutes of MVPA per week (Mean ± SD; 149.4 ± 142.3 m/wk, p = 0.877) and SB per weekday (478.3 ± 172.9 m/day, p = 0.936) did not significantly predict A/G ratio after controlling for age, race and BMI. The model including only BMI, age, and race accounted for 30.2% of the variability in A/G ratio (R2 = 0.302, p < 0.001). BMI (p < 0.001) and race (p < 0.001) were identified as significant predictors; age (p = 0.657) was not a significant predictor in this sample. CONCLUSION: MVPA and SB were not significantly associated to A/G ratio, after controlling for age, race and BMI. There was no association between MVPA and SB, supporting the evaluation of each outcome independently in relation to CMD risk. Future research should aim to better understand the associations between physiological and lifestyle CMD risk factors in at-risk minority females to help inform prevention interventions and strategies. Research reported was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P30DK056350. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.