Desiree Tande, Rhonda Magel, Brad Strand and Donna Terbizan wrote an article that will appear in the spring/summer issue of the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance Journal of Research. The article is titled “Active Lifestyles are Associated with Favorable Anthropometric Measures for U.S. Adults.”

According to Tande, who is lead author and NDSU Extension specialist and coordinator for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and the Family Nutrition Program, the study used anthropometric measures, which are noninvasive, quantitative techniques to estimate obesity by measuring and analyzing specific body dimensions. The study is the first to assess abdominal obesity risk based on intensity and frequency of physical activity for a sample representative of U.S. men and non-pregnant women 20 years and older.

“Physical activity is related to obesity. Adults should aspire to meet current physical activity recommendations,” Tande said. “Waist circumference should be measured in addition to body mass index for evaluation of physical activity in weight management. Public health may benefit from programs that target middle-aged adults for increased physical activity to lower obesity rates.”

Tande originated the study and participated in study design and data analysis. Magel, professor and chair of the statistics department, guided data analyses and interpreted findings. Magel and professors of health, nutrition and exercise sciences Strand and Terbizan were involved in conceptual aspects of the project and reviewed and edited drafts.