Reduced Sedentary Time and Associated Changes in Dietary Quality and Caloric Intake

Evidence from physical activity interventions suggests that women, in particular, may overcompensate for exercise energy expenditure with added caloric intake, reducing efficacy for weight loss. Sedentary behavior and poor diet quality are risk factors for cardiometabolic disease. It is unknown whether physically inactive women alter caloric intake or dietary quality when they reduce sedentary behavior. The aim of this study was to determine whether dietary patterns would change following an intervention intended to reduce sedentary behavior in inactive women. Inactive women working full‐time sedentary jobs (n=29) were randomized into one of two 8‐week interventions occurring during the work week [short breaks (1‐2 min every half hour, n=12) or long breaks (15 min twice daily, n=17)]. Assessments occurred at baseline, and weeks 4 and 8. Dietary information was collected via 3‐day food records. Dietary quality was assessed using the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI). Analyses of all participants revealed no change in AHEI scores over time (baseline: 54.0±15.1, week 4: 51.5±11.3, week 8: 47.3±12.2, p>0.05). Caloric consumption was not significantly different at week 4 (p>0.05), but was decreased at week 8 (baseline: 1809.7±488.0, week 4: 1682.3±622.8, week 8: 1625.4±554.2 kcals/day, p=0.04). Following an 8‐week sedentary intervention in the workplace, inactive women did not alter their dietary quality, but decreased caloric intake. Future research should explore sedentary interventions compared to physical activity interventions in women, as reductions in sedentary time (without caloric compensation or negative effects on dietary quality) may be effective for improving health outcomes.