Fig. 1

Asymmetry of predicted change in outcome variables with the reallocation of time to and from sedentary time. Figure 1-a shows the predicted change in BMI, with the reallocation of time to/from ST. As MVPA increases at the expense of ST, predicted BMI steadily declines. Conversely, as MVPA is displaced by ST, predicted BMI rises exponentially. Figures 1-a shows that relative to MVPA, displacing ST with sleep or LIPA is associated with only marginal change in BMI. However, figure 1-b suggests that displacing ST with LIPA represents a favourable alternative to ST or sleep. ST sedentary time, LIPA light intensity physical activity, MVPA moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, BMI body mass index, HOMA-IR homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, hs-CRP, high sensitivity C-reactive protein