Evaluation of the Role of Leisure Time Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Simultaneously on the Income-Overweight/Obesity Relationship

In the United States, overweight/obesity is more prevalent among those with low-income; higher income is related to greater leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and sedentary behavior (SB), which are inversely related to overweight/obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the role of LTPA and SB simultaneously in the income-overweight/obesity relationship. Cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007–2014) were utilized (n = 10,348 non-older adults (aged 20–59 years)). A multiple mediator structural equation model was conducted to evaluate the indirect effects from income to overweight/obesity (Body Mass Index ≥25 kg/m(2)) through LTPA and SB simultaneously, controlling for confounding variables, including diet, smoking, and alcohol consumption. As expected, greater income was negatively associated with overweight/obesity. Income indirectly influenced overweight/obesity through LTPA (Indirect effect: B = −0.005; CI = −0.01, −0.003), and through SB (Indirect effect: B = 0.008; CI = 0.005, 0.01), in opposing directions. The direct effect from income to overweight/obesity remained statistically significant. LTPA partially accounted for the negative relationship between income and overweight/obesity; SB reduced the strength of the negative relationship between income and overweight/obesity. Targeted behavior approaches for weight management may be beneficial. Increasing LTPA among adults with lower income and decreasing SB among adults with higher income may provide some overweight/obesity protection.