The aim of this study was to examine the associations of cardiometabolic
health markers with device-measured sedentary behavior (SB) duration
and different intensities of physical activity (PA) among overweight
working-aged adults with low self-reported PA levels. This
cross-sectional analysis included 144 subjects (42 men) with mean age of
57 (SD 6.5) years and mean BMI of 31.7 (SD 4) kg/m². SB and
standing time, breaks in sedentary time, light PA (LPA) and
moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were measured for 4 consecutive weeks
(mean 25 days, SD 4) with hip-worn accelerometers. Fasting plasma
glucose, insulin, HbA_1c, triglycerides and total cholesterol,
HDL and LDL were measured from venous blood samples. HOMA-IR index was
calculated as a surrogate of insulin resistance. The associations were
examined using linear models. LPA, MVPA, and daily steps associated with
better insulin sensitivity and favorable plasma lipid profile, when
adjusted for age, sex and BMI, whereas greater proportion of SB
associated with insulin resistance and unfavorable lipid profile. As all
PA intensities associated with better cardiometabolic health, the total
daily duration of PA may be more relevant than intensity in maintaining
metabolic health in overweight adults, if the current guidelines for PA
are not met.