Leisure-Time Physical Activity Is Associated With Reduced Risks of Mortality in Adults With General or Abdominal Obesity in Mexico

Abstract

Introduction: More research is required to determine whether physical activity reduces the burden of obesity in Mexico, where it is one of the leading public health problems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether physical activity was associated with reduced risk of mortality in adults with obesity in the Mexico City Prospective Study.

Methods: A total of 153,060 adults aged 52 (13) years were followed for 18 (4) years (mean [SD]). Participants were surveyed from 1998 to 2004, and data were analyzed in 2025. Trained nurses interviewed participants and measured BMI and waist circumference. Leisure-time physical activity level was derived from questions about frequency and duration of sport and exercise. Cox models were adjusted for confounders, with cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality treated as competing risks.

Results: There were 25,317 deaths from all causes; 8,488 from cardiovascular disease; and 3,368 from cancer during follow-up. Obesity was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality. In the main analysis, compared with the reference group that reported little or no activity and had a normal BMI, the hazard ratio (95% CI) was 1.40 (1.33, 1.47) in the group that reported little or no activity and had Obesity Class II. However, physical activity attenuated the risk of all-cause mortality associated with obesity. For example, compared with the reference group, the hazard ratio (95% CI) was only 1.18 (1.06, 1.32) in the group that reported medium or high activity and had Obesity Class II. Physical activity also attenuated the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality associated with Obesity Class II and the risk of cancer mortality associated with Obesity Class I and Obesity Class II. Furthermore, physical activity attenuated the risks of all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality associated with high waist circumference.

Conclusions: This is the first study of its kind in Mexico. The results suggest that leisure-time physical activity attenuates the risks of mortality in adults with general or abdominal obesity in Mexico.