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Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors by Race-Ethnicity: 2003–2006 NHANES

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Abstract

Previous studies suggest that the magnitude of morbidity/mortality reduction may differ between race-ethnic groups despite equated dose of physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study was to compare the potential racial-ethnic differences in cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF) across quartiles of accelerometer-derived total activity counts/day (TAC/d) among US adults. The final sample (n=4144) included adults who participated in the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). CMRF included fasting glucose (FG), fasting insulin (FI), HOMA-IR, resting systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), waist circumference (WC), BMI, CRP, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides. Race-ethnic groups examined included non-Hispanic white (NHW), non-Hispanic black (NHB), and Mexican American (MA). In the highest quartile, NHW had significantly lower values of HOMA-IR, FI, SBP, BMI, WC, and HDL-C when compared to NHB. Compared to MA in the highest quartile, NHW had significantly lower values of HOMA-IR, FI, BMI, and triglycerides. Significant race-ethnic differences were found for several CMRF, especially among those who were in the top quartile of PA (e.g., the most active adults). It is probable that the protective effect of higher volumes of PA on CMRF is moderated by other non-PA factors distinct to NHB and MA.

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Data Availability

Data are publicly available online from https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/Default.aspx.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, California Baptist University, 8432 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA, 92504, USA

    William R. Boyer & Allison N. Milano

  2. Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies, University of Tennessee, 1914 Andy Holt Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA

    David R. Bassett & Eugene C. Fitzhugh

  3. Department of Clinical and Applied Movement Sciences, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA

    James R. Churilla, Lindsay P. Toth & Michael R. Richardson

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  1. William R. Boyer
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  2. David R. Bassett
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  3. Eugene C. Fitzhugh
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Boyer, W.R., Bassett, D.R., Fitzhugh, E.C. et al. Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors by Race-Ethnicity: 2003–2006 NHANES. J. Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities 9, 1607–1615 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40615-021-01100-w

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