Interrupting Prolonged Sitting Reduces Postprandial Glucose Concentration in Young Men with Central Obesity

Context: Prolonged sitting elevates postprandial metabolic markers, resulting in increased risks of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Interrupting prolonged sitting may reduce these risks. However, more information is needed to understand the patterns of interrupting prolonged sitting to obtain metabolic health benefits. Objective: This study examined the effects of interrupting prolonged sitting with different intensities and durations of walking with an equivalent energy expenditure on postprandial metabolic responses in young Chinese men with central obesity. Design: A randomized crossover experimental trial was conducted. Setting: Participants underwent three 6-hour experiments with a 7-day washout period between each experiment: prolonged sitting, 3 min of light-intensity walking every 30 minutes, and 1.5 minutes of moderate-intensity walking every 30 minutes. Participants and Samples: Baseline (fasting) and 6-hour postprandial metabolic glucose and lipid levels were analyzed among 18 young Chinese men with central obesity. Main Outcome Measures: Generalized estimating equations (adjusted for the potential confounders explaining residual outcome variance (body mass index) and age), trial order, preprandial values, and lead-in activity) were used, and the incremental areas under the curve (iAUC) of each outcome were compared between prolonged sitting and interrupted prolonged sitting conditions. Results: Compared with prolonged sitting, both interrupting prolonged sitting conditions reduced the iAUCs for glucose (P <. 05) but not insulin, C-peptide, triglycerides, or nonesterified fatty acids. Conclusions: Both conditions of interrupted prolonged sitting reduced postprandial glucose concentrations in young Chinese men with central obesity when the energy expenditure was equivalent.