Is The Maintenance Or Adoption Of Physical Activity Associated With Cardiometabolic Risk Reduction Among Young Adults With Overweight And Obesity?

Physical activity is important for weight loss maintenance, cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk reduction and psychosocial health. Yet, limited data exist among young adults regarding physical activity thresholds and their associations with health risks and behaviors. PURPOSE: To examine longitudinal patterns of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), CMD risk factors and psychosocial factors among young adults with overweight and obesity. METHODS: University students (23 ± 4 years; BMI 31 ± 4 kg/m2) enrolled in a randomized controlled weight management trial completed one week of ActiGraph (wGT3X-BT) wear-time and self-report survey measures at baseline (n = 408) and 18 months later (M18; n = 191). Participants were categorized as High Maintainers (≥300 min/wk of MVPA at baseline and at M18 ; n = 56), Adopters (<300 min/wk of MVPA at baseline and ≥ 300 min/wk at M18; n = 23), Low Maintainers (<300 min/wk of MVPA at baseline and at M18 ; n = 75), and Relapsers (≥300 min/wk of MVPA at baseline and < 300 min/wk at ; n = 37). Differences in demographics, psychosocial factors and health outcomes were tested using Chi-squared, Fisher’s Exact, and ANOVA techniques. RESULTS: At baseline, High Maintainers were more likely to be male (39%) vs Adopters, Low Maintainers, or Relapsers (13%, 16%, 16%; p = 0.005) and have higher SBP (120.59 ± 11.67 mmHg) vs Adopters, Low Maintainers, or Relapsers (114.61 ± 9.42, 114.00 ± 11.67, 114.11 ± 11.92 mmHg; p = 0.007). Low Maintainers had the highest BMI (32.02 ± 4.08 kg/m2) vs High Maintainers, Adopters, or Relapsers (30.17 ± 3.90, 30.55 ± 4.74, 30.11 ± 3.92 kg/m2; p = 0.032). High Maintainers and Relapsers (14.27 ± 3.75 and 14.08 ± 4.77) had the highest physical activity self-efficacy vs Adopters or Low Maintainers (12.00 ± 3.58, 11.73 ± 3.49; p = 0.001). When examining change from baseline to M18, only High Maintainers and Adopters had reduced BMI (-0.46 ± 2.18 and -0.93 ± 1.79 kg/m2) vs Low maintainers and Relapsers (0.49 ± 2.32, 0.62 ± 2.28 kg/m2; p = 0.006). High maintainers had the greatest increase in HDL-C (5.00 ± 9.92 mg/dL) vs Adopters, Low maintainers or Relapsers (-0.33 ± 7.66, 0.80 ± 8.07, 3.77 ± 9.63 mg/dL; p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the importance of physical activity for weight loss and cardiometabolic health in young adults. Supported by NIH/NIDDK under award number R01DK100916