Steps, Body Fatness, And Cardiometabolic Risk In Young And Middle-aged Adults - The Cardia Study

Throughout the last century, overweight and obesity have developed to become a common condition across all age groups. While excess body fat is the primary result, it can also contribute to various comorbidities. Recent studies have shown that steps expressed relative to fat mass predict body fat percentage and key indicators of cardiometabolic risk. PURPOSE: Examine the relationships among step counts, body weight/composition and cardiometabolic risk in participants in the CARDIA study. METHODS: In year 20 of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study (1985-86), a subset of the sample carried a pedometer for 8 days, underwent a DEXA scan to assess body composition, and provided blood samples to assess several markers of cardiometabolic risk (e.g., HDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose, fasting insulin). RelSTEPS (steps/kg fat mass/day) was determined by dividing average daily step counts (steps/day) by fat mass (kg). Regression analysis was performed to determine body fat percentage predictors and cardiometabolic risk markers. The alpha level for all statistical analyses was 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 163 participants were included in the analysis - 57 men (age = 45.32 ± 3.43 years, weight = 197.48 ± 30.09 kg, body fatness = 23.27 ± 5.33%) and 106 women (age = 45.55 ± 3.79 years, weight = 171.78 ± 42.63 kg, body fatness = 35.87 ± 7.71%). RelSTEPS and sex were significant predictors of body fatness (r2 = 0.67, p = <0.001), HDL-cholesterol (r2 = 0.19, p = <0.001), and QUICKI (r2 = 0.32, p = <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The model that included relative steps and sex significantly predicted body fat percentage, HDL, and QUICKI. This model may be helpful in determining individualized step count targets for weight and cardiometabolic risk management for young and middle-aged adults.