Mixed
The association between sedentary time and waist circumference varies by race/ethnicity, being detrimental in Non-Hispanic Whites, null in Mexican Americans, and beneficial in Non-Hispanic Blacks.
While reducing sitting time is generally recommended, the specific impact on waist size may vary by race/ethnicity. For Non-Hispanic Whites, the link is clear. For others, the data is mixed or even shows a beneficial association in Blacks, suggesting biological or environmental differences. General advice to move more remains safe, but individual responses may vary.
Notable exceptions were... race/ethnicity differences in the association of sedentary time with waist circumference with associations detrimental in non-Hispanic whites, null in Mexican Americans, and beneficial in non-Hispanic blacks.
Why this rating
Large sample size allows for subgroup analysis, but the interaction is complex and potentially confounded.
Source
Sedentary time and cardio-metabolic biomarkers in US adults: NHANES 2003–06
Geneviève N. Healy et al. · European Heart Journal · 2011
DOI 10.1093/eurheartj/ehq451
More from this paper
- Prolonged sedentary time is detrimentally associated with adverse cardio-metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers (waist circumference, HDL-cholesterol, C-reactive protein, triglycerides, insulin, HOMA-%B, and HOMA-%S) independent of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels.Good
- Breaking up sedentary time with interruptions (breaks) is beneficially associated with lower waist circumference and lower C-reactive protein, independent of total sedentary time.Good
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