Disentangling the relationship between sedentariness and obesity: Activity intensity, but not sitting posture, is associated with adiposity in women

The relationship between SB and adiposity differed depending on how SB was operationally defined and measured, and was dependent on MVPA. The definition of SB based on a sitting posture (SEDAP) was not strongly related to body fat, whereas the accumulation of any behaviour (sitting or standing) with an intensity of <1.5 METs (SEDSWA) (offset by the presence of MVPA) was positively associated with indices of adiposity. These data suggest that the postural element of SB (sitting) is not sufficient for the accumulation of adiposity, rather activities requiring low EE (<1.5 METs) and the absence of MVPA, regardless of posture, are associated with higher fat mass.