Associations of objectively assessed Physical activity and sedentary time with biomarkers of breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women: Findings from NHANES (2003-2006)

Brigid M. Lynch, Christine M. Friedenreich, Elisabeth A.H. Winkler, Geneviève N. Healy, Jeff K. Vallance, Elizabeth G. Eakin, Neville Owen

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Articlepeer-review

    88 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Physical activity reduces the risk of postmenopausal breast cancer through multiple inter-related biologic mechanisms; sedentary time may contribute additionally to this risk. We examined cross-sectional associations of objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary time with established biomarkers of breast cancer risk in a population-based sample of postmenopausal women. Accelerometer, anthropometric and laboratory data were available for 1,024 (n = 443 fasting) postmenopausal women in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006. Associations of quartiles of the accelerometer variables (moderate-to vigorousintensity activity, light-intensity activity and sedentary time per day; average length of active and sedentary bouts) with the continuous biomarkers were assessed using linear regression models. Following adjustment for potential confounders, including sedentary time, moderate-to vigorous-intensity activity had significant (P < 0.05), inverse associations with all biomarker outcomes (body mass index, waist circumference, C-reactive protein, fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance). Light-intensity activity and sedentary time were significantly associated in fully adjusted models with all biomarkers except fasting glucose. Active bout length was associated with a smaller waist circumference and lower C-reactive protein levels, while sedentary bout length was associated with a higher BMI. The associations of objectively assessed moderate-to vigorous-intensity activity with breast cancer biomarkers are consistent with the established beneficial effects of selfreported exercise on breast cancer risk. Our findings further suggest that light-intensity activity may have a protective effect, and that sedentary time may independently contribute to breast cancer risk.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)183-194
    Number of pages12
    JournalBreast Cancer Research and Treatment
    Volume130
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov. 2011

    Keywords

    • Biological markers
    • Breast cancer
    • Physical activity
    • Postmenopausal women
    • Sedentary behavior

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