Study Links Combined Low Physical Activity and High Sedentary Behavior to Significant Weight Gain in Young Adults
A five-year study conducted by researchers at the University of Helsinki, Finland, has found a significant association between low or moderate leisure-time physical activity combined with higher sedentary behavior and major weight gain in young and early-to-midlife men and women. The study tracked over 2,600 employees of the City of Helsinki, aged 19–39 years at baseline in 2017. Major weight gain was defined as a 10% or greater increase in body weight over the five-year period. Approximately 24% of women and 12% of men in the study experienced this level of weight gain. The highest prevalence of major weight gain was observed in participants who engaged in low or moderate leisure-time activity and exhibited higher leisure-time sedentary behavior. Conversely, the lowest prevalence was found among those with vigorous leisure-time physical activity and low leisure-time sedentary behavior. While sedentary behavior alone was not significantly associated with major weight gain after adjustment, the combination ...
