Physical activity levels and correlates in nationally representative sample of U.S. adults with healthy weight, obesity, and binge-eating disorder

Objectives: This study compared the patterns of moderate and vigorous physical activity (PA) and health conditions in a nationally representative sample of adults categorized with healthy weight (HW) without eating disorder history, obesity without eating disorder history (OB), or current binge-eating disorder (BED) with obesity (BED+OB).

Method: We used the third National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions to compare PA intensity, duration, and their relationships with health indicators in the three groups: HW (n = 11,635), OB (n = 11,056), and BED+OB (n = 110).

Results: Prevalence of physical inactivity was significantly greater in OB (38.1%) and BED (51.4%) than HW (30.3%). Prevalence of vigorous PA was significantly lower in OB (45.5%) and BED (31.7%) than HW (54.0%). Duration of moderate and vigorous activity per week was significantly shorter in BED+OB than HW and duration of vigorous activity was shorter in OB than HW. Regardless of PA intensity, BED+OB reported poorer physical and mental health than OB and HW. Greater PA intensity and duration were associated with better physical health, particularly in OB.

Discussion: In this nationally representative study of U.S. adults, obesity was associated with physical inactivity. Comorbid obesity and BED was associated with lower PA levels and poorer health. Particularly among adults with obesity, greater PA intensity was associated with better physical health, and greater duration of PA was associated with better physical and mental health. The findings highlight the importance of screening for BED in addition to obesity status and for promoting PA to improve health in U.S. adults.