Research

Energy balance

Genetic predisposition for higher leisure screen time (LST) and lower moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) causally increases body mass index (BMI) and adiposity, and these protective effects of physical activity on disease risk are mediated or confounded by BMI.

This research suggests that the health benefits of reducing sedentary time and increasing physical activity are largely achieved through their effect on body weight and fat. To prevent diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, managing body mass index is likely a key mechanism through which physical activity works.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
multivariable MR analyses show that all protective causal effects of lower LST are either mediated or confounded by BMI.
Zhe Wang et al. · Nature Genetics · 2022

Why this rating

Large sample size (up to 703,901 individuals) and robust Mendelian Randomization methods, though observational in nature.

Source

Genome-wide association analyses of physical activity and sedentary behavior provide insights into underlying mechanisms and roles in disease prevention

Zhe Wang et al. · Nature Genetics · 2022

DOI 10.1038/s41588-022-01165-1

Meta-analysis · 51 studiesCited 235×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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