A new analysis published in the journal Obesity suggests that the hours between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. may be the most beneficial time of day for physical activity in terms of weight management. The study, titled “The Diurnal Pattern of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Analysis,” explores the impact of the diurnal pattern of physical activity on obesity.
Previous research has primarily focused on the frequency, intensity, and duration of physical activity, while there have been few studies on the timing of physical activity throughout the day. This study aimed to investigate whether accumulating physical activity at different times of day is equally associated with obesity and whether meeting physical activity guidelines with different patterns has the same benefits for reducing obesity.
The researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, specifically the 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 cycles. A total of 5,285 participants were examined, and the diurnal pattern of accelerometer-measured moderate to vigorous physical activity was classified into three categories: morning, midday, and evening.
The results revealed a strong linear association between moderate to vigorous physical activity and obesity in the morning group, while a weaker curvilinear connection was found in the midday and evening groups. Participants who met the physical activity guidelines in the morning had a lower body mass index and waist circumference compared to those in the other clusters.
Furthermore, self-reported dietary recall indicated that participants in the morning cluster had a healthier diet and consumed less daily energy per unit of body weight compared to the other clusters. Interestingly, despite spending more time on sedentary behavior, the participants in the morning cluster still had lower body mass index and waist circumference outcomes.
The study authors suggested that the diurnal pattern of moderate to vigorous physical activity could be an important factor in understanding human movement. However, it should be noted that this was a cross-sectional study, and it is unclear whether people who consistently exercise in the morning may have other lifestyle factors that contribute to their weight management in addition to their exercise routine.
In conclusion, scheduling physical activity in the morning may be beneficial for weight management. However, more research is needed to fully understand the impact of timing on physical activity and its relation to obesity.
Sources:
– Tongyu Ma et al. (2021). The Diurnal Pattern of Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Obesity.
– University of Alabama at Birmingham. (2021, March 20). Best time of day to exercise to prevent obesity. ScienceDaily.
