Relationship between adiposity and pedometer-assessed ambulatory activity in adult, rural African women

Purpose: To investigate the association between adiposity and pedometry-assessed ambulation in a convenience sample of adult, rural black South African women. Methods: Pedometry data were collected over 7 days in 121 subjects. Adiposity measures included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and percentage body fat (PBF). Results: Sedentarism (<5000 steps day-1) was found in 13.7%, while 39.7% were classified as accruing sufficient physical activity (≥10 000 steps day-1). Significant associations (P<0.02) existed between steps day-1 and adiposity measures (r=-0.22 to -0.23). After adjusting for age, only BMI remained significantly associated with steps day-1 (r=-0.20, P=0.032). Significant age-adjusted linear trends were found across combined BMI-WC risk categories for steps day-1 (P=0.036). Adjusting for age, motor vehicle access, education, use of tobacco products and comorbidities, BMI decreased 1.4 kg m-2 per 5000 steps day-1 (P=0.035), access to a motor vehicle within the household increased PBF by 4% (P=0.018), and compared with sedentarism, the risk of obesity (BMI ≥30 kg m -2) was 52% lower at 10 000 steps day-1 (P=0.028).Conclusion:Modest associations were found between adiposity and ambulation. Ambulation decreased the risk for obesity, while motor vehicle access was associated with increased adiposity levels. © 2008 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved.