Correlates of occupational, leisure and total sitting time in working adults: results from the Singapore multi-ethnic cohort

Adiposity and metabolic health in Asian populations: an epidemiological study using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in Singapore

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and related cardiometabolic disturbances are increasing rapidly in the Asia-Pacific region. We investigated the contribution of excess adiposity, a key determinant of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk, to unfavourable cardiometabolic profiles among Asian ethnic subgroups.

METHODS

The Health for Life in Singapore (HELIOS) Study is a population-based cohort comprising multiethnic Asian men and women living in Singapore, aged 30-84 years. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from individuals who had assessment of body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and metabolic characterisation. In a subset of participants on no medication for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolaemia, we tested the relationship of BMI and visceral fat mass index (vFMI) with cardiometabolic phenotypes (glycaemic indices, lipid levels, and blood pressure), disease outcomes (type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, and hypertension), and metabolic syndrome score with multivariable regression analyses.

FINDINGS

Between April 2, 2018, and Jan 28, 2022, 10 004 individuals consented to be part of the HELIOS cohort, of whom 9067 were included in the study (5404 [59·6%] female, 3663 [40·4%] male; 6224 [68·6%] Chinese, 1169 [12·9%] Malay, 1674 [18·5%] Indian; mean age 52·8 years [SD 11·8]). The prevalence of type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, and hypertension was 8·2% (n=744), 27·2% (n=2469), and 18·0% (n=1630), respectively. Malay and Indian participants had 3-4-times higher odds of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and showed adverse metabolic and adiposity profiles, compared with Chinese participants. Excess adiposity was associated with adverse cardiometabolic health indices including type 2 diabetes (p<0·0001). However, while vFMI explained the differences in triglycerides and blood pressure between the Asian ethnic groups, increased vFMI did not explain higher glucose levels, reduced insulin sensitivity, and increased risk of type 2 diabetes among Indian participants.

INTERPRETATION

Visceral adiposity is an independent risk factor for metabolic disease in Asian populations, and accounts for a large fraction of type 2 diabetes cases in each of the ethnic groups studied. However, the variation in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk between Asian subgroups is not consistently explained by adiposity, indicating an important role for additional mechanisms underlying the susceptibility to cardiometabolic disease in Asian populations.

FUNDING

Nanyang Technological University-the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, National Healthcare Group, and National Medical Research Council, Singapore.

Changes in sedentary behavior in the chronic phase following stroke

BACKGROUND

Sedentary behavior increases risk for cardiovascular diseases. Little is known about sedentary behavior through the chronic phase after stroke. We aimed to describe how long and short bouts of sedentary behavior changed over the first three years after stroke and if cognition at baseline was an independent risk factor for sedentary behavior.

METHODS

This is a sub-study of the Norwegian cognitive impairment after stroke (Nor-COAST) study, a multicenter study recruiting patients with acute stroke. Sedentary behavior was monitored with a thigh-worn sensor (ActivPal3®), at three-, 18- and 36-months post stroke. Stroke severity was assessed by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and cognition by Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA). Mixed model analysis with mean number of sedentary minutes accumulated daily as the dependent variable was repeated for all four zones (<30min, 30-60min, 60-90min, >90min) and for total sedentary time.

RESULTS

The number of included participants was 528 (mean age 71.4, NIHSS on day 1, 2.7). The total amount of sedentary time accumulated between 08.00-22.00 increased significantly from about 9.8 hours at three months to 10.1 hours at 36 months post stroke (p=0.002). Patient characteristics associated with prolonged duration of the sedentary bouts and sedentary time were age, high BMI, comorbidities, and impaired physical function. No significant associations between MoCA score and sedentary time were found.

CONCLUSION

The participants became increasingly sedentary and had fewer breaks in sedentary time from three to 36 months after stroke. Baseline cognition was not related to later sedentary behavior.

Acculturation as a Determinant of Obesity and Related Lifestyle Behaviors in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Population

Limited attention has been given to the role of cultural orientation towards different ethnic groups in multi-ethnic settings without a dominant host culture. We evaluated whether acculturation levels, reflecting cultural orientation towards other ethnic groups, were associated with obesity and related lifestyle behaviors in a cosmopolitan Asian population. We conducted the current study based on data from the Singapore Multi-Ethnic Cohort (N = 10,622) consisting of ethnic Chinese, Malays, and Indians aged 21 to 75 years. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between the acculturation level (z-score), obesity, and related lifestyle behaviors, including dietary habits and physical activity. A higher acculturation level was directly associated with a higher prevalence of obesity among Chinese, whereas an inverse association was found for ethnic Indians, and no significant association in Malays. In ethnic Malays, greater acculturation was significantly associated with higher dietary quality and less sedentary time. Furthermore, a high acculturation level was significantly associated with higher sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and more leisure-time PA in all ethnic groups. Our findings suggest that greater cultural orientation towards other ethnic groups was associated with convergence in obesity levels. More research is required to understand how acculturation affects obesity-related lifestyle factors in multi-ethnic settings.

Task type, preference, and occupation affect standing desk utilization in office workers

BACKGROUND

Adjustable height sit-stand desks are becoming the norm in many workplaces. It is not known how task type, worker preference, and occupation impact utilization of the adjustable height feature.

OBJECTIVE

This survey-based study aimed to determine how task type, preference and occupation affect office workers' sitting and standing behaviors at work.

METHODS

Office workers (n = 123) from different occupations completed surveys about actual and preferred positions (sit, stand, either/both) during 39 common tasks from 4 different categories, as well as barriers to use. Each position was analyzed by task type, behavior, and occupation.

RESULTS

There were differences between actual and preferred behavior for each position, with participants sitting more and standing less than preferred across all task categories. There were differences between task categories with participants sitting less for generative and routine, and standing more for communication tasks. The highest rates of either/both responses were for routine tasks. Engineers reported the lowest standing rates, and also indicated standing more than preferred. Information Tech and Engineering had the highest either/both responses. Finance reported the highest sitting rates. Personal, task-based and workplace limitations were cited as barriers to preferred use.

CONCLUSION

Office workers would prefer to stand more at work. Occupation-specific needs and preferences, as well as types of tasks should be considered when providing workplace standing options.

Correlates of Objectively Measured Sitting Time in South Korean Adults: 2014-2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

The purpose of this study was to investigate daily amounts of time spent sitting and frequency of breaks from sitting and to identify their sociodemographic, environmental, and health behavioral correlates for Korean adults (age = 19–65). This study analyzed accelerometer subdata from the 2014–2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 1,768). Ordinary least squares regression models stratified by weekday and weekend were tested to identify correlates of time spent sitting and number of sitting breaks. The average daily amounts of sitting time during weekdays and weekends were 500.63 min (95% confidence interval [CI] = 495.20–506.06) and 488.10 min (95% CI = 481.72–494.49), respectively. On weekdays and weekends, the average numbers of breaks from sitting per hour were 6.62 (95% CI = 6.57–6.68) and 6.60 (95% CI = 6.54–6.66), respectively. The participants with the greatest daily sitting time tended to be male, middle-aged, never married, office workers, and residents of a metropolis; tended to have a high school educational level or higher; and had never smoked, were underweight, were physically inactive, and slept <6 h a day. Fewer breaks from sitting was associated with being male, never married, middle-aged, an office worker, an apartment resident, never having smoked, and underweight. Higher education level and physical inactivity were associated with more frequent breaks from sitting. To reduce sedentary behavior, this study helps identify at-risk populations and their characteristics. Future studies should incorporate longitudinal data and measure domain-specific sedentary behavior.

Prevalence and patterns of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and their association with health-related quality of life within a multi-ethnic Asian population

OBJECTIVE

The study aimed to examine the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the general population of the multi-ethnic nation of Singapore as part of the Knowledge, Practice and Attitudes towards Diabetes study, a cross-sectional and population-based survey. It also examined the relationship between physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were assessed via the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), while physical and mental HRQoL was assessed via the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12v2). Survey weights were employed to account for complex survey design. Multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to examine sociodemographic correlates of physical activity (insufficient vs. sufficient physical activity) and sedentary behaviour (< 7 h/day vs ≥7 h/day). Descriptive statistics were calculated to examine the percentage of time spent in different domains of physical activity. Multivariable linear regressions were conducted to examine the association between physical activity and sedentary behaviour with physical and mental HRQoL.

RESULTS

Two thousand eight hundred sixty seven participants recruited from February 2019 to March 2020 (prior to COVID-19 lockdown and related restrictions in Singapore) were included in the analyses. 83.3% of respondents had sufficient physical activity. Age (65 years and above) and income (SGD 2000 to 3999) were associated with a higher likelihood of insufficient physical activity. In contrast, those of Malay ethnicity and having one chronic physical condition were associated with a lower likelihood of insufficient physical activity. 47.7% reported that they had sedentary behaviour of ≥7 h/day. Older age and a primary school education were related to a lower likelihood of sedentary behaviour, while being single, having higher income, obesity, and multimorbidity were associated with higher sedentary behaviour. Insufficient physical activity was significantly associated with lower physical HRQoL but was not significantly associated with mental HRQoL. Sedentary behaviour was not significantly associated with mental or physical HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

About 17% of the population did not meet the minimum requirements for physical activity, while around half of the population spent a considerable time being sedentary. As insufficient physical activity was associated with poorer physical HRQoL, policymakers should promote moderate physical activity and encouraging the breaking up of prolonged sedentary periods within the middle- and high-income groups, especially at the workplace. Increased leisure-time exercise should be encouraged for those in the lower- income group.

Sedentary Behavior and Associated Factors Among Working Adults in Eastern Ethiopia

Background: Sedentary behavior is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Due to changes in lifestyle, sedentary behavior is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa. However, information on the extent of sedentarism among various segments of the population is scant in low-income countries. The objective of this study was to assess the extent of high sedentary behavior and associated factors among working adults in eastern Ethiopia.

Methods: A crosssectional study was conducted among 1,164 working adults at Haramaya University from December 2018 to February 2019. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the WHO STEPS and sedentary behavior questionnaire. All reported sedentary activities were added to calculate the total number of hours spent on sedentary behavior, which was then dichotomized into two categories. Those who had ≥8 sedentary hours per day were categorized as having high sedentary behavior. The prevalence ratio (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated. Factors associated with outcome variables were identified using Poisson regression with a robust variance statistical model.

Results: The prevalence of high sedentary behavior was 20.3% (95% CI, 18.0–22.7%) among the study participants. The prevalence of high sedentary behavior was associated with age 45–54 years adjusted PR (APR: 2.00; 95% CI = 1.01–3.97) and 55–64 years (APR: 2.16; 95% CI = 1.03–4.57), being a non-manual worker (APR: 2.11; 95% CI = 1.46–3.05), frequent khat chewers (APR: 1.57; 95% CI = 1.22–2.01), with body mass index of ≥25 kg/m² (APR: 1.93; 95% CI = 1.53–2.44), and regular alcohol drinker (APR: 1.39; 95% CI = 1.11–1.76).

Conclusion: One-fifth of working adults had high sedentary behavior. Factors associated with high sedentary behaviors were older age, being a non-manual worker, substance-use behaviors, and having a high body mass index.

The Prevalence of Daily Sedentary Time in South Asian Adults: A Systematic Review

This study aimed to systematically review total daily sedentary time in South Asian adults. Seven electronic databases were searched, identifying relevant articles published in peer-reviewed journals between March 1990 and March 2021. The study was designed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Prospective or cross-sectional design studies reporting total daily sedentary time in South Asian adults (aged ≥18 years), reported in English, were included. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed, and the weighted mean total daily sedentary time was calculated. Fourteen full texts were included in this systematic review from studies that were conducted in Bangladesh, India, Norway, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. Pooled sedentary time across all studies was 424 ± 8 min/day. Sedentary time was measured using self-report questionnaires in seven studies, with a weighted mean daily sedentary time of 416 ± 19 min/day. Eight studies used accelerometers and inclinometers with a weighted mean sedentary time of 527 ± 11 min/day. South Asian adults spend a large proportion of their time being sedentary, especially when recorded using objective measures (~9 h/day). These findings suggest that South Asians are an important target population for public health efforts to reduced sedentary time, and researchers and practitioners should seek to standardise and carefully consider the tools used when measuring sedentary time in this population.

Correlates of Sedentary Behavior among Bhutanese Adults: Findings from the 2014 Bhutan STEPS Survey Data

Background

Sedentary behavior is associated with several adverse health outcomes. Data on factors that influence sedentary behavior are lacking in Bhutan. This study examined factors associated with increased sedentary behavior in Bhutan, with a focus on exploring sex differences.

Methods

Data of 2,796 adults from the nationally representative 2014 Bhutan STEP-wise surveillance (STEPS) survey were analyzed. Factors associated with sedentary behavior were identified using backward elimination multiple logistic regression analysis, disaggregated by sex. The analysis accounted for the complex survey design used in the primary survey.

Results

The overall prevalence of sedentary behavior was 8.2%, with a higher proportion among women than men (10.3% vs. 4.9%). In the full sample, female sex, being single, high education and income, urban residence, inadequate physical activity, and high blood sugar were associated with increased odds of sedentary behavior. Among females, those who had high education and income, were single, physically less active, and urban residents were more likely to be sedentary. Self-employment was related to reduced odds of sedentary behavior among women and in the overall sample population. In males, being single, higher education level, and urban residence were associated with sedentariness.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that interventions targeting females, especially those who are physically less active and from higher socioeconomic groups, urban residents, and those with hyperglycemia can potentially help reduce sedentary behavior and avert the associated detrimental impacts.

Are the Recommended Physical Activity Guidelines Practical and Realistic for Older People With Complex Medical Issues?

The world population is aging. With increased life expectancy comes increased risk of major health problems that affect the health and well-being of older adults. Adequate levels of physical activity as specified by current global guidelines can reduce the risk of health problems in older adults. However, fewer than half of older adults are sufficiently active, and thus are unlikely to achieve these health benefits. Older adults living in residential aged care are even more sedentary, with multiple health issues and comorbidities. While meeting physical activity guidelines confers the greatest benefit for physical function, the practicality of adherence to these guidelines for older people who are not healthy and have complex medical issues is questionable. This special interest paper discusses research evidence on the topic of physical activity for older people across the health spectrum, with and without multiple comorbidities. This discussion is informed by professional experience, and suggests practical recommendations to positively impact physical activity engagement in the older adult population.

"Occupational sitting kills; but who cares?": Quantitative analysis of barriers and facilitators of sedentary behavior in Indian white-collar workers

The knowledge, attitude and practices of employees and employers toward reducing sedentary behavior (SB) and improving physical activity (PA) at Indian workplaces remain unclear. A bespoke questionnaire assessing barriers and facilitators of occupational SB and PA practices as informed by the theoretical framework and behavioral change wheel model was adapted. Two hundred and three white-collar workers (both employees and managers) from eight corporate sectors were inquired about the SB, and PA practices at workplaces. The dichotomous variables of barriers and facilitators were analyzed by nonparametric tests. Excessive sitters had good knowledge (>75%), good attitude (>85%) but poor workplace SB and PA practice (>90%). Workplace SB, or PA practices differed between employers and employees. Low practice of workplace PA or SB interventions may be due to lack of workplace policies for SB interventions.

The Association of Different Types of Leisure Time Physical Activities with Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Singapore-Findings from the Multi-Ethnic Cohort Study

The study aimed to investigate the association between leisure time physical activity (LTPA) subtypes and cardiometabolic outcomes in the Singapore Multi-Ethnic Cohort (MEC). Self-reported data on socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, LTPA subtypes, and health screening data on body-mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), triglycerides (TG), and HDL-and LDL cholesterol were collected. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used adjusting for confounders. The mean age of 9768 participants was 45.2 ± 12.5 years (57.3% female, 47.3% Chinese, 26.0% Malay, and 26.8% Indians). Overall, 65.8% engaged in LTPA, and walking, strength/fitness and running were most common. Higher total LTPA was associated with lower WC, DBP, TG, a trend towards lower BMI, and higher SBP and HDL. Running was beneficially associated with all outcomes except for SBP and LDL. Balance exercises (BMI, SBP and DBP), cycling (BMI, WC and HDL), and strength/fitness (BMI, WC, TG and HDL) were also favorably associated with a number of outcomes, whereas ball games (DBP and TG), dancing (HDL) and other LTPA (DBP) were only favorably associated with selected outcomes. Unfavorable associations were found for total LTPA (SBP), strength/fitness (SBP), golf (DBP) and swimming (BMI and WC). Further research is warranted to inform future health promotion efforts.

Ethnicity, Neighborhood and Individual Socioeconomic Status, and Obesity: The Singapore Multiethnic Cohort

OBJECTIVE

It remains unclear whether ethnicity has an impact on obesity independent of socioeconomic status (SES) and environmental factors. Singapore provides a unique opportunity to address this issue because three major Asian ethnic groups are represented, and government policies prevent ethnic segregation. Therefore this study examined associations between ethnicity, SES, and obesity within neighborhoods in Singapore.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from 29,819 participants of the Singapore Multiethnic Cohort who were aged 21 to 75 years and of Chinese, Malay, and Indian ethnicity were used. Obesity was defined using Asian criteria. Multilevel models used obesity as the dependent variable and age, marital status, ethnicity, education level, income, and neighborhood SES as independent variables.

RESULTS

Education level was more strongly inversely associated with obesity than income level or neighborhood SES. The association between ethnicity and obesity was not substantially explained by measures of individual and neighborhood SES. In females, the fully adjusted odds ratio of obesity was 5.01 for Malay ethnicity and 4.81 for Indian ethnicity as compared with Chinese ethnicity. In males, these odds ratios were 2.61 and 2.07, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethnicity was strongly associated with obesity independent of SES and neighborhood environment. More research on sociocultural factors contributing to ethnic differences in obesity is warranted.

Socio-Demographic Correlates of Total and Domain-Specific Sedentary Behavior in Latin America: A Population-Based Study

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify socio-demographic correlates of total and domain-specific sedentary behavior (SB). Methods: Cross-sectional findings are based on 9218 participants (15–65 years) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health. Data were collected between September 2014 and February 2015. Participants reported time spent in SB across specific domains. Sex, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic (SEL), and education level were used as sociodemographic indicators. Results: Participants spent a total of 373.3 min/day engaged in total SB. Men, younger adults, other ethnicities, higher SEL and educational level presented higher total SB when compared with women, older adults, white/Caucasian, and low SEL and educational level. Men spent more time on the playing videogames (b: 32.8: 95% CI: 14.6;51.1) and riding in an automobile (40.5: 31.3; 49.8). Computer time, reading, socializing or listening to music was higher in younger participants (<30 years) compared with those ≥50 years in the total sample. Compared to the low SEL and educational level groups, middle (11.7: 5.7; 17.6) and higher (15.1: 5.3; 24.9) SEL groups as well as middle (9.8: 3.6; 15.9) and higher (16.6: 6.5; 26.8) education level groups reported more time spent reading. Conclusion: Socio-demographic characteristics are associated with SB patterns (total and specific) across Latin American countries.

The Effect of Domain-Specific Sitting Time and Exercise Habits on Metabolic Syndrome in Japanese Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

The effects of domain-specific (i.e., occupational, leisure-time on workday, and holiday) sitting time (ST), and exercise on metabolic syndrome (MetS) development are insufficiently studied. The present study aimed to examine the single and combined effects of each domain-specific ST and exercise habits on MetS. The total and domain-specific STs of 5530 participants were collected using a validated questionnaire. The multiple logistic regression analyses determined the effects of each domain-specific ST and exercise habit on MetS. Of all participants, 7.8% had MetS. Odds ratios (ORs) for MetS were significant only in the group with the longest leisure-time ST on holidays (OR, 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.83); we found no significant associations with any other domain-specific ST after statistical adjustment for confounders. The no-habitual-exercise group clearly had a higher risk for MetS (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.15-1.80). The significantly higher ORs for MetS was shown in only the combined longer total ST (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.12-2.39) and holiday ST (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.30-2.59) with no habitual exercise. These findings suggested that accumulated daily total ST, particularly leisure-time ST on holidays with no-habitual exercise, can increase the risk of MetS and it could possibly be mitigated by habitual exercise.

Correlates of sedentary behaviour in Asian adults: A systematic review

The objective of this study is to systematically review the evidence on correlates of sedentary behaviour (SB) among Asian adults. We searched for studies that examined individual, environmental, and political/cultural correlates of total and domain-specific SB (transport, occupation, leisure, and screen time) in Asian adults published from 2000 onwards in nine scientific databases. Two reviewers independently screened identified references. Following quality assessment of included studies, we performed narrative synthesis that considered differences based on SB measurements, regions, and population characteristics (PROSPERO: CRD42018095268). We identified 13 249 papers of which we included 49, from four regions and 12 countries. Researchers conducted cross-sectional analyses and most relied on SB self-report for SB measurement. Of the 118 correlates studied, the following associations were consistent: higher age, living in an urban area (East Asia), and lower mental health with higher total SB; higher education with higher total and occupational SB; higher income with higher leisure-time SB; higher transit density with higher total SB in older East Asians; and being an unmarried women with higher SB in the Middle East. We encourage more research in non-high-income countries across regions, further exploration of important but neglected correlates using longitudinal designs and qualitative research, and the use of objective instruments to collect SB data.

Social-ecological correlates of accelerometer-measured occupational sitting among Japanese desk-based workers

Background

Although the main targets for reducing workplace sedentary behavior have been clarified, only a few studies have examined the association between social-ecological factors and workplace sedentary behavior for effective intervention. The present study aimed to examine the social-ecological factors of workplace sedentary behavior among Japanese sedentary workers.

Methods

Participants were recruited via a cross-sectional mail survey targeting randomly sampled 6000 middle-aged people dwelling in Matsuyama-city and Koto-ku in Japan. Participants answered a questionnaire on social-ecological factors, recorded their work time in a diary, and wore a triaxial accelerometer during waking time for 7 consecutive days. Workplace sedentary behavior was measured using accelerometer and was referred to as the work time in the recorded diary. Full-time workers who had mainly sitting work and valid accelerometer data were included in the analysis. Workplace sedentary variables were sedentary breaks per sedentary hour, sedentary time, and ≥ 30 min bouts of sedentary time. The associations between each sedentary variable and social-ecological factors were explored by conducting three multiple linear regression analyses adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors.

Results

A total of 227 participants (133 men, mean age 49.9 ± 6.9 years) were included in the analysis. In the overall sample, “typically seeing work colleagues take sedentary breaks” was significantly associated with more sedentary breaks (B [95% confidence interval {CI}=1.40 [0.07 to 2.73]) and shorter ≥30-min bouts of sedentary time (B [95% CI] = −7.08 [−13.75 to −0.40]). “I am motivated to take sedentary breaks” had an unfavorable association with less sedentary breaks (B [95% CI] = −1.36 [−2.61 to −0.12]) and longer sedentary time (B [95% CI] = 4.15 [0.29 to 8.00]). In male workers, “Too stressed to take sedentary breaks” was significantly associated with less sedentary breaks (B [95% CI] = −5.6 [−9.17 to −2.02]).

Conclusions

Seeing work colleagues take sedentary breaks may be important for reducing workplace sedentary behavior. Those who are more sedentary are motivated to take sedentary breaks. Male workers who feel the need to take sedentary breaks at work are more sedentary.

WHO recommendations on physical activity versus compliance rate within a specific urban population as assessed through IPAQ survey: a cross-sectional cohort study

OBJECTIVE

The study was designed to address the following three key areas, that is, (1) evaluate overall level of physical activity in the residents of a mid-sized, Central-European city, (2) compliance level with WHO's recommendations on physical activity in leisure time and (3) actual impact of select socioeconomic factors on the physical activity level within the study population.

METHODS

Assessment of the source data collected for 4619 participants (1532 men and 3087 women, aged 45-65 years; mean age 56.41±5.31 years) was completed. Three levels of physical activity, and compliance level with pertinent WHO recommendations was evaluated, based on International Physical Activity Questionnaire (long form). Multilevel logistic regression models of socioeconomic factors associated with moderate-level, high-level physical activity, and WHO recommendations were developed.

RESULTS

Data analyses revealed that 6.19% of the study participants (n=286) engaged in low-level physical activity, 48.86%-in moderate-level activity, while high-level activity was reported in 44.94% of them. Compliance with pertinent WHO recommendations was higher in men aged 44-55 years, boasting upper-level education, living without a partner and in the persons with a net income over €1140 per household.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall level of physical activity in the residents of a mid-sized, Central-European city was established as moderate. Pertinent WHO recommendations on physical activity were met by 4.2% of the subjects only.

Prevalence and correlates of domain-specific sedentary time of adults in the Netherlands: findings from the 2006 Dutch time use survey

BACKGROUND

Relatively little is known about how total sedentary time is accumulated in different domains and if correlates of sedentary time differ across domains. Time use surveys present a unique opportunity to study sedentary time in more detail. This study aimed to use the 2006 Dutch time use survey to 1) describe the (sedentary) time use of Dutch adults, and 2) explore socio-demographic and health-related correlates of total (non-occupational) and domain-specific sedentary time.

METHODS

The Dutch time use survey randomly selected participants from a population-representative research sample of Dutch households. Participants reported daily activities on seven consecutive days using a time use diary and socio-demographic and health-related characteristics during telephone interviews. All reported activities were coded for activity domain (i.e. education; household; leisure; occupation; sleep; transport; voluntary work) and activity intensity (i.e. sedentary; light intensity physical activity; moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity). As occupational activities were not specified in sufficient detail, the intensity of these activities was unknown. We described the time spent in different domains and intensities, and assessed the socio-demographic and health-related correlates of high levels of total (non-occupational), household, leisure, and transport sedentary time using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The final dataset consisted of 1614 adult (18+) participants. On average, participants spent 8.0 h (61.1%) of their daily waking non-occupational time on sedentary activities. More than 87% of leisure time was spent sedentary. Men, participants aged 18-34 and 65+ years, full-time employed participants and obese participants had higher levels of total non-occupational sedentary time. The correlates of household, leisure and transport sedentary time differed by domain.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reports high levels of total non-occupational sitting time of Dutch adults. The large proportion of sedentary leisure activities might indicate the potential of strategies aiming to reduce leisure sedentary time. The difference in correlates across sedentary behaviour domains demonstrates the importance of targeting these domains differently in interventions and policies.