Short Video Viewing, and Not Sedentary Time, Is Associated with Overweightness/Obesity among Chinese Women

Previous studies have found that the relationship between sedentary time (ST) and overweightness/obesity is unclear. The association between sedentary behavior and overweightness/obesity may depend on the type of sedentary behavior engaged in. Nowadays, in older Chinese adults, especially females, short video viewing (SVV) is the most popular leisure sedentary behavior. However, the association between SVV and overweightness/obesity remains to be determined. This study aimed to examine the associations between ST and SVV and overweightness/obesity in Chinese community-dwelling older women. A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Physical Activity and Health in Older Women Study was carried out in this study. A total of 1105 older Chinese women aged 60-70 years were included. SVV was estimated using a self-reported questionnaire, and ST was objectively measured using a tri-axial accelerometer. Overweightness/obesity indicators, including body fat ratio (BFR), fat mass (FM), visceral fat mass (VFM), subcutaneous fat mass (SFM), trunk fat mass (TFM), and limb fat mass (LFM), were assessed using multi-frequency bioimpedance analysis. The covariates included socio-demographic data and a range of health-related factors. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the association between ST and SVV and overweightness/obesity. ST was significantly positively associated with all indicators of overweightness/obesity; however, the associations disappeared after adjusting for moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). A higher SVV time was associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) (beta = 0.19, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05 to 0.32), BFR (beta = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.07 to 0.56), FM (beta = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.61), VFM (beta = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.16), SFM (beta = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.03 to 0.45), TFM (beta = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.39), and LFM (beta = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.23) in the fully adjusted models. Compared with non-food short videos, short food videos had a greater effect on overweightness/obesity. SVV was an independent risk factor for overweightness/obesity. A reduction in SVV (especially the food category) rather than ST might be an effective way to prevent overweightness/obesity when incorporated in future public health policy formulations.

Automated summary

Previous studies have found that the relationship between sedentary time and overweightness/obesity is unclear. This study aimed to examine the associations between sedentary time, particularly short video viewing (SVV), and overweightness/obesity in Chinese community-dwelling older women. The results showed that sedentary behavior, especially SVV, was associated with higher indicators of overweightness/obesity. Reduction in SVV, especially in the food category, may be an effective way to prevent overweightness/obesity.