Prevalence and variables associated with leisure-time sedentary lifestyle in adults

This study focused on the prevalence and determinants of leisure-time sedentary lifestyle in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. A cross-sectional design was used in a sample of 2,292 adults > or = 20 years of age, of whom 1,271 (55.0%) were females. Leisure-time sedentary lifestyle was defined by individuals who, in a live interview, stated that they performed no physical activity during their leisure time in a normal week. Initially, total prevalence of leisure-time sedentary lifestyle in the study population was calculated by variables associated and stratified by sex. Then, the prevalence ratio between leisure-time sedentary lifestyle, age, schooling, and marital status stratified by sex was calculated. A 95% confidence interval was used. Prevalence of leisure-time sedentary lifestyle was 72.5% and was more frequent in women 40-50 years of age and men over 60, individuals with limited schooling, and married, separated, and widowed individuals. The findings are relevant for public health, since they can be used both to identify high levels of leisure-time sedentary lifestyle in the Brazilian population as well as the determinants, thus allowing new intervention strategies to be implemented.     

Distribution and determinants of sedentary lifestyles in the European Union

BACKGROUND: Many studies have shown the health burden of a sedentary lifestyle. The main goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles in the 15 Member States of the European Union (EU) and to identify the main correlates of a sedentary lifestyle. METHODS: Nationally representative samples (n approximately 1000 subjects in each country; >15 years) completed a questionnaire concerning attitudes to physical activity, body weight, and health; in total 15 239 subjects. Sedentary people were defined in two ways: (1) those expending less than 10% of their leisure time expenditure in activities involving >/=4 metabolic equivalents (MET). (2) Those who did not practice any leisure-time physical activity and who also were above the median in the number of hours spent sitting down during leisure time. Logistic regression models were fitted to analyse the association between sedentary lifestyles and gender, age, body mass index (BMI), educational level, weight change in the last 6 months, and marital and smoking status. RESULTS: Percentages of sedentary lifestyles across European countries ranged between 43.3% (Sweden) and 87.8% (Portugal) according to the first definition. According to both definitions, a lower prevalence of sedentary lifestyle was found in Northern countries (especially Scandinavian countries) as compared with Mediterranean countries, whereas the prevalence was higher among older, obese, less educated, widowed/divorced individuals, and current smokers. Similar relative differences between countries and socio-demographic groups were found independently of the method used to define a sedentary lifestyle. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of sedentary lifestyle in the EU is high, especially among inhabitants of some Mediterranean countries, obese subjects, less-educated people, and current smokers. This high prevalence involves important public health burdens and preventive strategies are urgently needed.     

Acculturation, socioeconomic status, obesity and lifestyle factors among low-income Puerto Rican women in Connecticut, U.S., 1998-1999.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations of socioeconomic status and acculturation with obesity and lifestyle characteristics that may be risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease among low-income Puerto Rican women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1998 and 1999 by interviewing a convenience sample of 200 low-income Puerto Rican female caretakers of young children in Hartford, Connecticut, United States of America. Various recruitment methods were used to ensure adequate representation of the target community. The associations of obesity (body mass index > or = 30.0) and lifestyle factors (physical activity, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, food intake) with socioeconomic status (education, employment, car ownership), acculturation, age, and marital status were examined with Spearman rho, chi-squared, and Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Mean age was 29 years. Obesity (40%), physical inactivity (47%), and cigarette smoking (32%) were common. Less acculturated participants were 57% less likely to smoke and 54% less likely to be obese than their more acculturated counterparts. Lower socioeconomic status (not finishing high school or not owning a car) was associated with a higher likelihood of obesity, but unemployed (vs. employed) women were less likely to be obese (P < 0.05). Women who did not own a car consumed meat, eggs and fish less often than those who owned a car. Smokers were more likely to have an unhealthy food intake pattern than nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS: The associations of acculturation and socioeconomic status with some lifestyle characteristics suggest the need for culturally appropriate programs to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in this low-income community.     

Relationship of socioeconomic status with cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle in a Mediterranean population

BACKGROUND: Socioeconomic status greatly affects cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle. Aim of the study To analyse the relationship between socioeconomic status and both cardiovascular risk factors and behavioural variables. AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyse the relationship between socioeconomic status and both cardiovascular risk factors and behavioural variables. METHODS: The present random sample of 838 men and 910 women of the 25 to 74 year old general population of Gerona according to the 1991 census, included cardiovascular risk factor measurements (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glycaemia, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, and waist circumferences) and evaluation of dietary habits, alcohol consumption, smoking, and leisure-time physical activity with corresponding questionnaires. RESULTS: In this study, we used lifestyle factors (leisure-time physical activity, tobacco consumption, and alcohol drinking habits) in addition to dietary habits to determine whether changes in these factors correlate with the socioeconomic status, classified as degree of educational level, in a representative Spanish Mediterranean population. Multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for several confounders revealed a direct association of LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.03) and body mass index (p = 0.02) with low levels of educational status in men and women, respectively. A higher educational status was directly (p = 0.04) related to the smoking status in women. The two composite dietary scores, indicating overall dietary quality and cardiovascular protecting properties, were not associated with low socioeconomic status in our population. CONCLUSION: Dietary habits, alcohol drinking, and leisure-time physical activity seems not to be affected by educational status in either gender. This finding might partially explain the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and socioeconomic status in our population. The importance of cultural values in the rural area of the Spanish province seems to be the stronger factor compared with education.     

The relationships between indicators of physical activity, indicators of sedentary behaviour and adiposity in French adults: the FLVS II study

Increasing habitual physical activity and decreasing sedentary behaviour have both been identified as targets for the prevention of unhealthy weight gain and obesity. To improve health monitoring in the context of nutrition-related disease prevention, there is a need to better define relevant indicators of sedentary behaviour. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between indicators of physical activity, indicators of sedentary behaviour and body fat in French adults. We analysed cross-sectional data from a community-based survey in northern France (213 men, age: 44±5 years; 192 women, age: 42±4 years; mean±SD). Physical activity and sedentary behaviour during the past year were assessed using the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire. Indicators of physical activity were leisure-time and occupational physical activity, indicators of sedentary behaviour during leisure were reading and “screen viewing” (including time spent watching television/video, playing video games, and using a computer). Body-fat percentage was assessed using bio-impedance analysis. In univariate analysis (Spearman rank correlations), reading and screen viewing were not significantly correlated; reading was positively associated with leisure-time physical activity in women and negatively associated with occupational physical activity in men. In multivariate analyses (stepforward regression models) stratified by gender and educational level, independent predictors of percent body fat included, in women, screen viewing (positive association), occupational physical activity (positive association) and leisure-time activity (negative association), but not reading; in men, only reading was associated with percent body fat, with a negative relationship in those with a high educational level. Relationships between indicators of sedentary lifestyle and body fat differ according to gender and type of sedentary pasttime. The data emphasise that sedentary lifestyle represents a complex set of behaviours and that various sedentary behviours may have distinct effects with regard to health outcomes. These results point out the need to assess selected indicators of sedentary behaviour when considering health monitoring in public health nutrition.     

Smoking and body mass in the natural history of physical activity: prospective evidence from the Alameda County Study, 1965-1974

The prospective effects of smoking status and body mass on change in leisure-time physical activity from 1965 to 1974 were examined in a cohort of 4,622 persons 20-94 years of age from the Alameda County Study. With adjustment for age and baseline physical activity, current smokers showed a greater nine-year decline in leisure-time physical activity than those who had never smoked. The coefficient for current smokers from a multivariate linear regression model was of a similar magnitude among women and men (coefficient = -0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.50 to -0.05 for women; coefficient = -0.26, 95% CI = -0.54 to 0.02 for men). Larger declines in physical activity were seen with increasing number of current pack-years exposure among both women and men. Compared with women of average body mass index, women of heaviest body mass index had larger declines (coefficient = -0.70, 95% CI = -1.04 to -0.36) while women of the lightest body mass index had larger increases (or smaller declines) in physical activity (coefficient = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.00 to 0.66). Although body mass index did not initially appear to be associated with a change in physical activity among men, age-specific analyses indicated that the effect of body mass index on physical activity varied with age such that younger (20-39 years of age), thinner men increased their activity, while older (60 years of age and over), thinner men decreased their physical activity more than men of the same age with average body mass index.     

Social influences and low leisure-time physical activity in young Danish adults.

BACKGROUND: Many youths and adults maintain a sedentary life style and a better understanding of the factors which influence physical activity is needed. This study analyses the association between social factors and low leisure-time physical activity in young adults. METHODS: Three hundred and seventeen children aged 6-18 years participated in a health survey in 1979 and again 13 years later. In this cohort the influence of family factors during childhood on the subsequent risk of low leisure-time activity was analysed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Young women were significantly less physically active during leisure time if over 25 years of age, poorly educated and smokers. In multivariate analysis, childhood smoking was the only variable significantly related to low leisure-time physical activity (OR = 5.6 and 95% CI: 1.4-23.6) in young women. In young men, low leisure-time physical activity was associated with parental work activity. Men whose parents had reported high physical activity during work at the examination in 1976-1978 were less often physically inactive during leisure time (OR = 0.2 and 95% CI: 0.1-0.6) at the follow-up in 1992. CONCLUSIONS: Young smoking girls seem to be a key group in the prevention of both smoking and a sedentary life style.     

Occupational risk of overweight and obesity: an analysis of the Australian Health Survey

Background  

Adults spend about one third of their day at work and occupation may be a risk factor for obesity because of associated socioeconomic and behavioral factors such as physical activity and sedentary time. The aim of this study was to examine body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of overweight and obesity by occupation and explore the contributions of socioeconomic factors and lifestyle behaviors (including leisure time and commuting physical activity, diet, smoking, and alcohol) to occupational risk.     

Neighborhood walkability and TV viewing time among Australian adults

BACKGROUND: Built-environment attributes of a neighborhood are associated with participation in physical activity and may also influence time spent in sedentary behaviors. Associations of neighborhood walkability (based on dwelling density, street connectivity, land-use mix, and net retail area) and television viewing time were compared in a large, spatially-derived sample of Australian adults. METHODS: Neighborhood-level variables (walkability and socioeconomic status [SES]) were calculated in 154 Australian census collection districts using Geographic Information Systems. Individual-level variables (TV viewing time, time spent in leisure-time physical activity, height, weight, and sociodemographic variables) were collected from adults living in urban areas of Adelaide, Australia using a mail survey (N=2224) in 2003-2004. Multilevel linear regression analysis was conducted in 2006 separately for men and women to examine variations in TV viewing time across tertiles of walkability. RESULTS: Neighborhood walkability was negatively associated with TV viewing time in women, but not in men. After controlling for neighborhood SES, body mass index, physical activity, and sociodemographic variables, women living in medium- and high-walkable neighborhoods reported significantly less TV viewing time per day (14 minutes and 17 minutes, respectively) compared to those residing in low-walkable neighborhoods. CONCLUSIONS: Built-environment attributes of neighborhoods that are related to physical activity also may play an important role in influencing sedentary behavior, particularly among women. Considering the effects of prolonged sedentary time on health risks, which are independent of physical activity, there is the need for further research to explore how environmental characteristics may contribute to the amount of time spent in sedentary behavior.     

Does reading keep you thin? Leisure activities,cultural tastes,and body weight in comparative perspective

While sedentary leisure-time activities such as reading, going to movies, attending cultural events, going to sporting events, watching TV, listening to music, and socialising with friends would seem to contribute to excess weight, a perspective focusing on socioeconomic status (SES) differences in cultural tastes suggests the opposite, that some sedentary activities are associated with lower rather than higher body weight. This study aims to test theories of cultural distinction by examining relationships between leisure-time activities and body weight. Using 2007 data on 17 nations from the International Social Survey Program (ISSP), the analysis estimates relationships between the body mass index and varied leisure-time activities while controlling for SES, physical activities, and sociodemographic variables. Net of controls for SES and physical activities, participation time in cultural activities is associated with lower rather than higher body weight, particularly in high-income nations. The results suggest that both cultural activities and body weight reflect forms of distinction that separate SES-based lifestyles.     

Physical activity behaviors in lower and higher socioeconomic status populations

Few data on physical activity habits among populations of low socioeconomic status have been published. The authors studied physical activity habits--leisure-time physical activity, job-related physical activity, household physical activity, and walking--among 172 lower socioeconomic status women and 84 lower socioeconomic status men and compared their habits with those of 208 higher socioeconomic status women and 95 higher socioeconomic status men. All subjects resided in the greater Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area. Data collection occurred throughout 1986. Lower socioeconomic status women, the least active group, averaged 1,536 +/- 1,701 minutes/week (+/- standard deviation) of total physical activity, whereas higher socioeconomic status women, the most active group, averaged 2,079 +/- 1,807 minutes/week (p less than 0.0001). Higher socioeconomic status men averaged 1,952 +/- 1,799 minutes/week, and lower socioeconomic status men averaged 1,948 +/- 1,916 minutes/week. Higher socioeconomic status women spent significantly more time each week in leisure-time physical activity, job-related physical activity, and household physical activity than did lower socioeconomic status women. Lower socioeconomic status men spent significantly more time each week walking and doing household chores, whereas higher socioeconomic status men tended to be more active in leisure-time physical activity. These data suggest important quantitative and qualitative differences in physical activity among population subgroups. In view of the important role of physical activity in promoting physical and mental health, reasons for the differences among groups of varying socioeconomic status must be examined and elucidated.     

Physical inactivity in the Baltic countries

BACKGROUND: Physical inactivity is a known risk factor for heart disease and obesity, two major health problems in the Baltic Republics. This study examined patterns of physical activity level in these countries, and correlates of leisure-time sedentary behavior. METHODS: Data from three national surveys of adults conducted in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in 1997 were used. Respondents who provided information on their activity level were included in this study (Estonia: n = 2,018; Latvia: n = 2,303; Lithuania: n = 2,140). RESULTS: One in three Estonians and one in five Latvians and Lithuanians had a low physical activity level at work. Half the respondents (Lithuania: 60%, Latvia: 52%, Estonia: 43%) participated only in sedentary activities during their leisure time. Leisure-time sedentarity was inversely related to education level in men and women and with income in men. It was also associated with smoking in men and with inadequate vegetable intake in men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary behavior during leisure time should be a public health issue in the Baltic Republics. Health promotion strategies aiming at increasing leisure-time physical activity level will need to target the general population, but particularly individuals from lower socioeconomic strata.     

Prevalence of sedentary lifestyle and associated factors in adolescents 10 to 12 years of age

Physical activity in adolescence is associated with several health benefits, including a direct influence on adolescent morbidity and an indirect effect on adult health mediated by physical activity levels in adulthood. This study assessed the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle and associated variables in 4,452 adolescents aged 10-12 years, belonging to the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study, representing 87.5% of the original cohort. Sedentary lifestyle, defined as < 300 minutes per week of physical activity, was reported by 58.2% (95%CI: 56.7-59.7) of the cohort. In the multivariate analysis, sedentary lifestyle was positively associated with female gender, socioeconomic status, maternal physical inactivity, and television viewing, but inversely correlated with time spent playing videogames. Adolescents with low socioeconomic status were more likely to walk or bicycle to and from school. Effective strategies against sedentary lifestyle in adolescence are needed because of its high prevalence and association with physical inactivity in adulthood.     

Risk and protective factors for chronic non-communicable diseases: the VIGITEL telephone disease surveillance system, Brazil, 2007

This article describes the prevalence of risk and protective factors for chronic non-communicable diseases in Brazil, using data collected in 2007 through the telephone disease surveillance system (VIGITEL). We evaluated 54,252 adults residing in Brazil's State capitals and Federal District. Men showed higher rates of smoking, overweight, consumption of soft drinks and fatty meat, sufficient leisure-time physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, and binge drinking; women showed higher consumption of fruits and vegetables. For men with more schooling, the probability of smoking decreased by 42% and consumption of fatty meat decreased by 31%; overweight increased 86%, sedentary lifestyle 42%, regular consumption of fruits and vegetables 89%, and leisure-time physical activity 78%. For women with more schooling, the probability of smoking decreased 31%, overweight 26%, and consumption of fatty meat 35%; sedentary lifestyle increased 76%, leisure-time physical activity 77%, regular consumption of fruits and vegetables 48%, and recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables 75%.     

Leisure time and occupational physical activity: risk of death from ischemic heart disease

The relation of leisure time and occupational physical activity to the risk of death from ischemic heart disease was investigated in a cohort of 15,088 persons aged 30-59 years who had no history of cardiovascular disease or other condition which hindered physical activity. Two population samples were randomly chosen from eastern Finland. During a six-year follow-up, persons who were sedentary in leisure time (relative risk = 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-1.6) or at work (relative risk = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.1-1.6) had an excess risk of ischemic heart disease death when adjusted for age, health status, family history, and body mass index in multivariate logistic models. Adjustment for years of education, social network participation, cigarette consumption, serum cholesterol level, and blood pressure level weakened the residual association of low leisure time physical activity with the risk of ischemic heart disease death (relative risk = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0-1.5), whereas the association for low occupational physical activity remained unchanged. The lack of leisure time physical activity and a sedentary occupation are associated with an increased risk of ischemic heart disease death, and the excess risk due to lack of leisure time physical activity is, in part, accounted for by other ischemic heart disease risk factors.     

Mental health and family functioning as correlates of a sedentary lifestyle among low-income women with young children

The authors in this cross-sectional study examined mental health and family environmental factors related to a sedentary lifestyle, including lack of leisure-time physical activity and high levels of television viewing, among low-income mothers/female guardians of preschool-aged children. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 131 mothers in 2010. Primary outcome measures included television viewing time (minutes/day) and leisure-time physical activity (<150 versus ≥150 minutes per week). Independent variables included depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and family functioning. Demographic factors (age, marriage, work status, education, number of children in the household, and race/ethnicity) were examined as potential covariates. Participating women watched television on average 186.1 minutes/day (i.e., >3 hours). Additionally, 36% of women engaged in less than the recommended 150-minute leisure-time physical activity per week. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that greater depressive symptoms (B = 76.4, p < 0.01) and lower family functioning (B = 33.0, p < 0.05) were independently related to greater television viewing when controlling for other variables. No independent factors were identified for lack of leisure-time physical activity when controlling for other covariates. Findings suggest that health promotion efforts to promote an active lifestyle among low-income women with young children should address mental health and family functioning factors, especially depressive symptoms.     

Leisure-time, occupational, and household physical activity among professional, skilled, and less-skilled workers and homemakers

BACKGROUND: Adults in lower status occupations are at higher risk of premature cardiovascular disease, for which physical inactivity is a major risk factor. While lower rates of leisure-time physical activity have been found to be associated consistently with lower income and education levels, the association between occupational and home-based physical activity with membership of different occupational categories is not well understood. METHODS: An urban-representative population data set derived from a self-completion questionnaire was used to examine both self-reported leisure-time physical activity and a combined measure of occupational/home-based physical activity of adult less-skilled, skilled, and professional workers and homemakers (3795 males; 4140 females). chi(2) analyses, ANOVA, and logistic regressions were used to examine the associations between occupational group membership and physical activity. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, body mass index, education, country of birth, marital status, and smoking, less-skilled workers were less likely to report any form of leisure-time physical activity. However, occupational category was not a strong predictor of participation in combined vigorous occupational/home physical activity. Homemakers and those in lower status occupations were less likely to report participation in vigorous leisure-time physical activity sufficient for cardiorespiratory fitness. With the inclusion of time spent in combined vigorous occupational/home physical activity, there was no longer an association of activity with occupational status for males. However, for females the association remained. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of occupational and household physical activity in addition to leisure-time activity may be important for understanding associations between occupational categories, physical activity, and increased levels of health risk and for the development of physical activity promotion strategies.     

Leisure-time physical activity and related lifestyle characteristics among middle-aged Japanese. Japan Lifestyle Monitoring Study Group

The present study describes leisure-time physical activity status and related lifestyle factors in middle-aged Japanese. Data were obtained from 1,893 (905 men, 988 women) participants aged 40-69 years who had either been selected from a public registry or who had visited a healthcare facility. Subjects responded to a self-administered questionnaire and were interviewed using an assessment method for leisure-time and on-the-job physical activity within the last 12 months by trained interviewers. According to the leisure-time physical activity score, men and urban residents tended to engage in more leisure-time physical activity than did women and rural residents, respectively. Leisure-time physical activity tended to be inversely associated with on-the-job physical activity in all cases aside from women in urban regions, and also to be associated with higher levels of education in rural regions. Subjects engaging in more leisure-time physical activity had higher odds ratios of certain lifestyle factors, indicating a healthy lifestyle that included a variety of foods in their diet and a subjective sense of wellness in both men and women, in addition to non-smoking and drinking milk in men. These results suggested that leisure-time physical activity is influenced by socio-environmental factors, and that it is accompanied by other healthy behavior.     

运动生活方式在骨健康及体重管理中的效果探讨

[目的]探讨运动生活方式在骨健康及体重管理中的有效性,为实施肥胖（OB）和骨质疏松症（OP）的行为干预提供科学依据。[方法]2006年1月至2008年3月期间到上海外高桥保税区医疗保健中心接受健康体检的上海保税区企业员工中分阶段整群抽取411名进行调查。[结果]调查多量运动组130人,少量运动组136人,静坐生活组145人。多量运动组的体重指数、腰臀比、体脂含量均低于静坐生活方式组（P〈0．01）,骨质密度指数、T值均高于静坐生活组（P〈0．01）;少量运动组的BMI低于静坐生活组（P〈0．01）,其他4项指标与静坐生活组的差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。多量运动组的超重、肥胖、中心性肥胖、骨质少孔症、骨质多孔症的患病率均明显低于静坐生活组（P〈0．01）;少量运动组的上述5项指标与静坐生活组的差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。[结论]运动生活方式能有效降低肥胖和骨质疏松症的罹患率。     

Associations between dietary patterns, physical activity (leisure-time and occupational) and television viewing in middle-aged French adults

Diet and physical activity are considered to be major components of a healthy lifestyle. However, few studies have examined in detail the relationships between specific types of physical activity, sedentary behaviour and diet in adults. The objective of the present study was to assess differential relationships between dietary patterns, leisure-time and occupational physical activities and time spent watching television (TV), as an indicator of sedentary behaviour, in middle-aged French subjects. We performed a cross-sectional analysis using data from 1359 participants in the SUpplémentation en VItamines et Minéraux AntioXydants study, who completed a detailed physical activity questionnaire and at least six 24 h dietary records. Sex-specific dietary patterns were derived using factor analysis; their relationships with leisure-time and occupational physical activities and TV viewing were assessed using ANCOVA, after adjustment for age, educational level and smoking status. Three dietary patterns were identified in each sex. After adjustment for potential confounders, leisure-time physical activity was positively associated with a 'healthy' food pattern in both men (P for trend < 0·01) and women (P for trend < 0·03) and negatively associated with an 'alcohol/meat' pattern in men (P for trend < 0·01). TV viewing was positively associated with a 'convenience' pattern in men and with a 'alcohol-appetiser' pattern in women. In conclusion, identification of relationships between dietary patterns, physical activity and sedentary behaviour can enable identification of different types of lifestyle and should help to target at-risk groups in nutrition prevention programmes.