Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Successful Weight Loss Maintainers

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to compare patterns of objectively measured moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA,3.00 metabolic equivalents [METs]), light-intensity physical activity (LPA, 1.50-2.99 METs), and sedentary behavior (SB,<1.50 METs) in successful weight loss maintainers (WLMs), normal weight controls (NC), and controls with overweight/obesity (OC). MethodsParticipants (18-65 y) were recruited in three groups: WLM (maintaining13.6-kg weight loss for1 year, n=30), NC (BMI matched to current BMI of WLM, n=33), and OC (BMI matched to pre-weight loss BMI of WLM, n=27). All participants wore the activPAL for 1 week. ResultsCompared with OC and NC, WLM spent more awake time in total MVPA (WLM: 9.63.9%, NC: 7.1 +/- 2.1%, OC: 5.9 +/- 2.0%; P<0.01) and more time in sustained (10 min) bouts of MVPA (WLM: 39 +/- 33, NC: 17 +/- 14, OC: 9 +/- 11 min/d; P<0.01). Compared with OC, WLM and NC spent more awake time in LPA (WLM: 29.6 +/- 7.9%, NC: 29.1 +/- 8.3%, OC: 24.8 +/- 6.7%; P=0.04) and less awake time sedentary (WLM: 60.8 +/- 9.3%, NC: 63.8 +/- 9.5%, OC: 69.3 +/- 7.5%; P<0.01). ConclusionsResults provide additional data supporting the important role of MVPA in weight loss maintenance and suggest notable differences in LPA and SB between normal weight individuals and those with overweight/obesity. Increasing LPA and/or decreasing SB may be additional potential targets for weight management interventions.