Physical Activity Patterns Using Accelerometry in the National Weight Control Registry

Victoria A. Catenacci, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center
Gary K. Grunwald, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center
Jan P. Ingebrigtsen, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center
John M. Jakicic, University of Pittsburgh - Main Campus
Michael D. McDermott, University of Pittsburgh - Main Campus
Suzanne Phelan, California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Rena R. Wing, Brown University
James O. Hill, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center
Holly R. Wyatt, University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center

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Copyright © 2011 The Obesity Society. The definitive version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/oby.2010.264.

Abstract

The National Weight Control Registry (NWCR) was established in 1993 to examine characteristics of successful weight-loss maintainers. This group consistently self-reports high levels of physical activity. The aims of this study were to obtain objective assessments of physical activity in NWCR subjects and compare this to physical activity in both normal-weight and overweight controls. Individuals from the NWCR (n = 26) were compared to a never‑obese normal-weight control group matched to the NWCR group’s current BMI (n = 30), and an overweight control group matched to the NWCR group’s self-reported pre-weight-loss BMI (n = 34). Objective assessment of physical activity was obtained for a 1-week period using a triaxial accelerometer. Bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) ≥10 min in duration, as well as nonbout MVPA (bouts of MVPA 1–9 min in duration) were summed and characterized. NWCR subjects spent significantly (P = 0.004) more time per day in sustained bouts of MVPA than overweight controls (41.5 ± 35.1 min/day vs. 19.2 ± 18.6 min/day) and marginally (P = 0.080) more than normal controls (25.8 ± 23.4). There were no significant differences between the three groups in the amount of nonbout MVPA. These results provide further evidence that physical activity is important for long-term maintenance of weight loss and suggest that sustained volitional activity (i.e., ≥10 min in duration) may play an important role. Interventions targeting increases in structured exercise may be needed to improve long-term weight-loss maintenance.