Relationship between adiposity and pedometer-assessed ambulatory activity in adult, rural African women.

Abstract

To investigate the association between adiposity and pedometry-assessed ambulation in a convenience sample of adult, rural black South African women. Pedometry data were collected over 7 days in 121 subjects. Adiposity measures included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and percentage body fat (PBF). Sedentarism (<5000 steps day(-1)) was found in 13.7%, while 39.7% were classified as accruing sufficient physical activity (>or=10 000 steps day(-1)). Significant associations (P<0.02) existed between steps day(-1) and adiposity measures (r=-0.22 to -0.23). After adjusting for age, only BMI remained significantly associated with steps day(-1) (r=-0.20, P=0.032). Significant age-adjusted linear trends were found across combined BMI-WC risk categories for steps day(-1) (P=0.036). Adjusting for age, motor vehicle access, education, use of tobacco products and comorbidities, BMI decreased 1.4 kg m(-2) per 5000 steps day(-1) (P=0.035), access to a motor vehicle within the household increased PBF by 4% (P=0.018), and compared with sedentarism, the risk of obesity (BMI >or=30 kg m(-2)) was 52% lower at 10 000 steps day(-1) (P=0.028). Modest associations were found between adiposity and ambulation. Ambulation decreased the risk for obesity, while motor vehicle access was associated with increased adiposity levels.