Objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior in successful weight loss maintainers

OBJECTIVE: To compare patterns of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA, ≥3.00 METs), light-intensity PA (LPA, 1.50–2.99 METs), and sedentary behavior (SB, <1.50 METs) in successful weight loss maintainers (WLM), normal weight controls (NC), and controls with overweight/obesity (OC). METHODS: Participants (18–65 years) were recruited in three groups: WLM (maintaining ≥13.6 kg weight loss for ≥1 year, n=30), NC (BMI matched to current BMI of WLM, n=33), and OC (BMI matched to pre-weight loss BMI of WLM, n=27) and wore the activPAL™ for one week. RESULTS: Compared to OC and NC, WLM spent more awake time in total MVPA (WLM: 9.6±3.9%, NC: 7.1±2.1%, OC 5.9±2.0%; p<0.01) and more time in sustained (≥10 minute) bouts of MVPA (WLM 39±33, NC 17±14, OC 9±11 minutes/day; p<0.01). Compared to OC, WLM and NC spent more awake time in LPA (WLM 29.6±7.9%, NC 29.1±8.3%, OC 24.8±6.7%; p=0.04) and less awake time sedentary (WLM 60.8±9.3%, NC 63.8±9.5%, OC 69.3±7.5%; p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Results provide additional data supporting the important role of MVPA in weight loss maintenance, and suggest notable differences in LPA and SB between normal weight individuals and those with overweight/obesity. Increasing LPA and/or decreasing SB may be additional potential targets for weight management interventions.