This study sought to examine the relationship of sedentary time (<100 counts/min) and physical activity using an accelerometer with metabolic risk variables in 169 participants (30-87 years) of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab). Participants spent, on average, most of their time either sedentary (39%) or in light intensity activity (39%) when compared to time spent in moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity (4%). The authors found that sedentary time, light-intensity activity, and mean activity intensity were significantly associated with waist circumference and the clustered metabolic score, and that moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity was associated with triglyceride levels. Interestingly, each 10% increase in sedentary time was associated with a 3.1 cm increase in waist circumference (95% CI 1.2-5.1). This study suggests that sedentary time may have a stronger influence on waist circumference than moderate and high intensity activities. It also emphasizes the metabolic benefit that can be obtained by substituting light intensity activity for sedentary time.
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