Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and anthropometric profiles in women with and without insulin resistance: a cross-sectional study

Insulin resistance (IR) is a multifactorial metabolic condition influenced by lifestyle, body composition, and behavioral factors. Regular physical activity is known to improve insulin sensitivity, yet its associations with anthropometric and socio-demographic variables remain incompletely understood, particularly among young women. A total of 443 women aged 18–35 years participated in this cross-sectional study, including 301 with medically confirmed IR and 142 metabolically healthy controls. Anthropometric indices, Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist–Hip Ratio (WHR), Abdominal Volume Index (AVI), and Body Adiposity Index (BAI), were self-measured using standardized procedures. Physical activity was assessed via the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), with total energy expenditure expressed as Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET). Group comparisons were performed using Mann–Whitney U tests and Generalized Linear Models (GENLIN) with robust covariance estimation. Women with IR exhibited significantly higher BMI, WHR, AVI, and BAI values (all p < 0.001) and lower total physical activity (2,615 vs. 3,679 MET; p = 0.01) compared with controls. Sedentary behavior was more prevalent among IR participants (449 vs. 363 MET; p < 0.001). The observed differences were independent of anthropometric covariates. Socio-demographic factors showed nonlinear associations: lower and higher income levels, as well as rural residence, were linked to reduced activity in the IR group. Sleep duration showed no significant effect. Physical activity, independent of body composition, is a key determinant of metabolic health in women. The results highlight the need for targeted behavioral interventions promoting movement as a core therapeutic and preventive strategy in insulin resistance management.