BackgroundThis study evaluated the separate and combined associations of physical activity and obesity with blood lipids in Chinese adults with and without diabetes.MethodsData of 17,535 participants aged 18 to 78years old were collected. Physical activity was categorized as inactive (low) or active (moderate or high) according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the associations of physical activity and obesity with lipid-related indices.ResultsCompared with physically active participants, inactive participants had higher triglyceride (TG) level, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, and higher odds ratios for abnormal TG and HDL-C. Compared with non-obese participants, obese participants had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), TG and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), lower HDL-C level, and higher odds ratios for the four abnormal lipid indices. Inactive obese participants had highest levels of TC, TG and LDL-C, lowest HDL-C level, and highest odds ratios compared to the other groups. No significant associations were found between obesity and TC, LDL-C in patients with diabetes.ConclusionsIrrespective of diabetes, physical inactivity and obesity were associated with the presences of abnormal TG and HDL-C. Moreover, there were additive effects on blood lipids when physical inactivity and obesity co-occur.