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 kgm(-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 kgm(-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.