Association of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior With Visceral Adipose Tissue and Bone Health in Sedentary Women With Overweight and Obesity
Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, vol.34, no.1, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 34 Issue: 1
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1123/wspaj.2025-0127
- Journal Name: Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal
- Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, SportDiscus, Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Keywords: abdominal fat, accelerometry, adiposity, bone mineral density, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, sedentary patterns
- Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Sedentary behavior (SB) is associated with adverse health outcomes including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and impaired bone health. Prolonged SB is linked to increased visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and reduced bone mineral density, potentially increasing the risk of metabolic disorders and bone fragility. In contrast, regular physical activity reduces VAT and supports bone health. However, evidence examining the relationships among SB, bone health, and VAT in individuals with overweight or obesity remains limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the associations of SB and physical activity levels with estimated VAT and bone health. A total of 55 normal-weight women (body mass index = 22.1 ± 1.8 kg/m2) and 55 women with overweight or obesity (body mass index = 29.7 ± 3.5 kg/m2) participated in this study. SB and physical activity were objectively measured using an accelerometer, while bone health and estimated VAT were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Estimated VAT showed a significant but weak negative correlation with moderate to vigorous physical activity, independent of weight status (r = −.201, p = .038). There was a moderate negative correlation between estimated VAT and vigorous physical activity in normal-weight women (r = −.404, p = .002). Independent of weight status, bone mineral density was positively associated with light physical activity (r = .205, p = .035) and negatively associated with sedentary time (r = −.210, p = .031). In women with overweight and obesity, bone mineral content was positively associated with step count (r = .304, p = .028), moderate to vigorous physical activity (r = .346, p = .012), vigorous physical activity (r = .305, p = .028), and average length of sedentary break (r = .301, p = .030). These findings support the benefits of physical activity and interruptions to SB for bone health and abdominal fat particularly in women with overweight or obesity.