Definition
Sedentary Time (vs. Sedentary Behavior)
Sedentary behavior has been defined as “any waking behavior characterized by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs), while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture” (Tremblay et al. 2017). Common sedentary behaviors include watching television, reading a book, working at a computer, and driving motorized transport.
Sedentary time refers to the sum of all sedentary behaviors that are undertaken throughout the course of a day. For example, time spent traveling to work by car, sitting working at an office desk, and watching television during leisure time all represent different sedentary behaviors but accumulate to contribute toward “total sedentary time.” However, within the field of sedentary behavior research, the terms sedentary time and sedentary behavior are often used interchangeably, and incorrectly.
Description
Measurement of Sedentary Time
Methods employed to assess sedentary time include both self-report...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
References and Further Reading
Biddle, S. J., Bennie, J. A., Bauman, A. E., Chau, J. Y., Dunstan, D., Owen, N., et al. (2016). Too much sitting and all-cause mortality: Is there a causal link? BMC Public Health, 16, 635.
Biswas, A., Oh, P. I., Faulkner, G. E., Bajaj, R. R., Silver, M. A., Mitchell, M. S., et al. (2015). Sedentary time and its association with risk for disease incidence, mortality, and hospitalization in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine, 162(2), 123–132.
Collings, P. J., Wijndaele, K., Corder, K., Westgate, K., Ridgway, C. L., Dunn, V., et al. (2014). Levels and patterns of objectively-measured physical activity volume and intensity distribution in UK adolescents: The ROOTS study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 11(23), 1–12.
Freedson, P. S., Pober, D., & Janz, K. F. (2005). Calibration of accelerometer output for children. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 37(11 Suppl), S523–S530.
Harvey, J. A., Chastin, S. F., & Skelton, D. A. (2015). How sedentary are older people? A systematic review of the amount of sedentary behaviour. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 23(3), 471–487.
Healy, G. N., Matthews, C. E., Dunstan, D. W., Winkler, E. A., & Owen, N. (2011). Sedentary time and cardio-metabolic biomarkers in US adults: NHANES 2003-06. European Heart Journal, 32(5), 590–597.
Hoare, E., Milton, K., Foster, C., & Allender, S. (2016). The associations between sedentary behaviour and mental health among adolescents: A systematic review. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 13(1), 108.
Tremblay, M. S., Aubert, S., Barnes, J. D., Saunders, T. J., Carson, V., Latimer-Cheung, A. E., et al. (2017). Sedentary behaviour research network (SBRN) – Terminology consensus project process and outcome. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14(75), 1–17.
Troiano, R. P., Berrigan, D., Dodd, K. W., Mâsse, L. C., Tilert, T., & McDowell, M. (2008). Physical activity in the United States measured by accelerometer. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40(1), 181–188.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Section Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
About this entry
Cite this entry
O’Brien, C.M., Duda, J.L., Kitas, G.D., Fenton, S.A.M. (2018). Sedentary Time. In: Gellman, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_101912-1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_101912-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-6439-6
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-6439-6
eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine