A systematic review of correlates of sedentary behaviour in adults aged 18–65 years: a socio-ecological approach

Background: Recent research shows that sedentary behaviour is associated with adverse cardio-metabolic consequences even among those considered sufficiently physically active. In order to successfully develop interventions to address this unhealthy behaviour, factors that influence sedentariness need to be identified and fully understood. The aim of this review is to identify individual, social, environmental, and policy-related determinants or correlates of sedentary behaviours among adults aged 18-65 years. Methods: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched for articles published between January 2000 and September 2015. The search strategy was based on four key elements and their synonyms: (a) sedentary behaviour (b) correlates (c) types of sedentary behaviours (d) types of correlates. Articles were included if information relating to sedentary behaviour in adults (18-65 years) was reported. Studies on samples selected by disease were excluded. The full protocol is available from PROSPERO (PROSPERO 2014:CRD42014009823). Results: 74 original studies were identified out of 4041: 71 observational, two qualitative and one experimental study. Sedentary behaviour was primarily measured as self-reported screen leisure time and total sitting time. In 15 studies, objectively measured total sedentary time was reported: accelerometry (n = 14) and heart rate (n = 1). Individual level factors such as age, physical activity levels, body mass index, socio-economic status and mood were all significantly correlated with sedentariness. A trend towards increased amounts of leisure screen time was identified in those married or cohabiting while having children resulted in less total sitting time. Several environmental correlates were identified including proximity of green space, neighbourhood walkability and safety and weather. Conclusions: Results provide further evidence relating to several already recognised individual level factors and preliminary evidence relating to social and environmental factors that should be further investigated. Most studies relied upon cross-sectional design limiting causal inference and the heterogeneity of the sedentary measures prevented direct comparison of findings. Future research necessitates longitudinal study designs, exploration of policy-related factors, further exploration of environmental factors, analysis of inter-relationships between identified factors and better classification of sedentary behaviour domains

The (cost-)effectiveness of a lifestyle physical activity intervention in addition to a work style intervention on the recovery from neck and upper limb symptoms in computer workers

BACKGROUND: Neck and upper limb symptoms are frequently reported by computer workers. Work style interventions are most commonly used to reduce work-related neck and upper limb symptoms but lifestyle physical activity interventions are becoming more popular to enhance workers health and reduce work-related symptoms. A combined approach targeting work style and lifestyle physical activity seems promising, but little is known on the effectiveness of such combined interventions. METHODS/DESIGN: The RSI@Work study is a randomised controlled trial that aims to assess the added value of a lifestyle physical activity intervention in addition to a work style intervention to reduce neck and upper limb symptoms in computer workers. Computer workers from seven Dutch companies with frequent or long-term neck and upper limb symptoms in the preceding six months and/or the last two weeks are randomised into three groups: (1) work style group, (2) work style and physical activity group, or (3) control group. The work style intervention consists of six group meetings in a six month period that take place at the workplace, during work time, and under the supervision of a specially trained counsellor. The goal of this intervention is to stimulate workplace adjustment and to improve body posture, the number and quality of breaks and coping behaviour with regard to high work demands. In the combined (work style and physical activity) intervention the additional goal is to increase moderate to heavy physical activity. The control group receives usual care. Primary outcome measures are degree of recovery, pain intensity, disability, number of days with neck and upper limb symptoms, and number of months without neck and upper limb symptoms. Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline and six and 12 months after randomisation. Cost-effectiveness of the group meetings will be assessed using an employer's perspective. DISCUSSION: This study will be one of the first to assess the added value of a lifestyle physical activity intervention in addition to a work style intervention in reducing neck and upper limb symptoms of computer workers. The results of the study are expected in 2007

The SOS-framework (Systems of Sedentary behaviours): an international transdisciplinary consensus framework for the study of determinants, research priorities and policy on sedentary behaviour across the life course: a DEDIPAC-study.

BACKGROUND: Ecological models are currently the most used approaches to classify and conceptualise determinants of sedentary behaviour, but these approaches are limited in their ability to capture the complexity of and interplay between determinants. The aim of the project described here was to develop a transdisciplinary dynamic framework, grounded in a system-based approach, for research on determinants of sedentary behaviour across the life span and intervention and policy planning and evaluation. METHODS: A comprehensive concept mapping approach was used to develop the Systems Of Sedentary behaviours (SOS) framework, involving four main phases: (1) preparation, (2) generation of statements, (3) structuring (sorting and ranking), and (4) analysis and interpretation. The first two phases were undertaken between December 2013 and February 2015 by the DEDIPAC KH team (DEterminants of DIet and Physical Activity Knowledge Hub). The last two phases were completed during a two-day consensus meeting in June 2015. RESULTS: During the first phase, 550 factors regarding sedentary behaviour were listed across three age groups (i.e., youths, adults and older adults), which were reduced to a final list of 190 life course factors in phase 2 used during the consensus meeting. In total, 69 international delegates, seven invited experts and one concept mapping consultant attended the consensus meeting. The final framework obtained during that meeting consisted of six clusters of determinants: Physical Health and Wellbeing (71% consensus), Social and Cultural Context (59% consensus), Built and Natural Environment (65% consensus), Psychology and Behaviour (80% consensus), Politics and Economics (78% consensus), and Institutional and Home Settings (78% consensus). Conducting studies on Institutional Settings was ranked as the first research priority. The view that this framework captures a system-based map of determinants of sedentary behaviour was expressed by 89% of the participants. CONCLUSION: Through an international transdisciplinary consensus process, the SOS framework was developed for the determinants of sedentary behaviour through the life course. Investigating the influence of Institutional and Home Settings was deemed to be the most important area of research to focus on at present and potentially the most modifiable. The SOS framework can be used as an important tool to prioritise future research and to develop policies to reduce sedentary time

Correlates of sedentary time in different age groups: results from a large cross sectional Dutch survey

Abstract Background Evidence shows that prolonged sitting is associated with an increased risk of mortality, independent of physical activity (PA). The aim of the study was to identify correlates of sedentary time (ST) in different age groups and day types (i.e. school-/work day versus non-school-/non-work day). Methods The study sample consisted of 1895 Dutch children (4–11 years), 1131 adolescents (12–17 years), 8003 adults (18–64 years) and 1569 elderly (65 years and older) who enrolled in the Dutch continuous national survey ‘Injuries and Physical Activity in the Netherlands’ between 2006 and 2011. Respondents estimated the number of sitting hours during a regular school-/workday and a regular non-school/non-work day. Multiple linear regression analyses on cross-sectional data were used to identify correlates of ST. Results Significant positive associations with ST were observed for: higher age (4-to-17-year-olds and elderly), male gender (adults), overweight (children), higher education (adults ≥ 30 years), urban environment (adults), chronic disease (adults ≥ 30 years), sedentary work (adults), not meeting the moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) guideline (children and adults ≥ 30 years) and not meeting the vigorous PA (VPA) guideline (4-to-17-year-olds). Correlates of ST that significantly differed between day types were working hours and meeting the VPA guideline. More working hours were associated with more ST on school-/work days. In children and adolescents, meeting the VPA guideline was associated with less ST on non-school/non-working days only. Conclusions This study provides new insights in the correlates of ST in different age groups and thus possibilities for interventions in these groups. Correlates of ST appear to differ between age groups and to a lesser degree between day types. This implies that interventions to reduce ST should be age specific. Longitudinal studies are needed to draw conclusions on causality of the relationship between identified correlates and ST

Business car owners are less physically active than other adults: A cross-sectional study

Active transport contributes to increased daily physical activity (PA). Car ownership is associated with less frequent active transport and less PA. For business car ownership this relation is unknown. Therefore, we explored whether business car owners and their adult household members comply less with the Dutch moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guideline and are more sedentary than private car owners and persons without a car. From October 2011 to September 2012 questions about use and availability of cars in the household were included in the survey Injuries and Physical Activity in the Netherlands. Multiple linear regression was used to compare six mutual exclusive groups of ownership and availability of (business and/or private) cars in the household. Business car owners complied less (15.8 percent points) with the MVPA guideline than the other respondents. They also reported 1.5 h more sitting time during workdays than the other respondents, but after adjusting for covariates, this difference was no longer significant. We concluded that owners of a business car in the Netherlands are at higher risk of not complying with the MVPA guideline and tend to spend more hours sitting during workdays than other adults. Further research in this group, e.g. with objective instruments to measure physical activity and sedentary behavior, is recommended. Policy makers on transport and fiscal arrangements, employers, employees, occupational health professionals and car lease companies should be aware of this possible health risk

Business car owners are less physically active than other adults: A cross-sectional study

Active transport contributes to increased daily physical activity (PA). Car ownership is associated with less frequent active transport and less PA. For business car ownership this relation is unknown. Therefore, we explored whether business car owners and their adult household members comply less with the Dutch moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) guideline and are more sedentary than private car owners and persons without a car. From October 2011 to September 2012 questions about use and availability of cars in the household were included in the survey Injuries and Physical Activity in the Netherlands. Multiple linear regression was used to compare six mutual exclusive groups of ownership and availability of (business and/or private) cars in the household. Business car owners complied less (15.8 percent points) with the MVPA guideline than the other respondents. They also reported 1.5 h more sitting time during workdays than the other respondents, but after adjusting for covariates, this difference was no longer significant. We concluded that owners of a business car in the Netherlands are at higher risk of not complying with the MVPA guideline and tend to spend more hours sitting during workdays than other adults. Further research in this group, e.g. with objective instruments to measure physical activity and sedentary behavior, is recommended. Policy makers on transport and fiscal arrangements, employers, employees, occupational health professionals and car lease companies should be aware of this possible health risk

Longitudinal relationship between sitting time on a working day and vitality, work performance, presenteeism, and sickness absence

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the longitudinal relationship between sitting time on a working day and vitality, work performance, presenteeism, and sickness absence. METHODS: At the start and end of a five-month intervention program at the workplace, as well as 10 months after the intervention, sitting time and work-related outcomes were measured using a standardized self-administered questionnaire and company records. Generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate the longitudinal relationship between sitting time and work-related outcomes, and possible interaction effects over time. RESULTS: A significant and sustainable decrease in sitting time on a working day was observed. Sitting less was significantly related to higher vitality scores, but this effect was marginal (b = -0.0006, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Our finding of significant though marginal associations between sitting time and important work-related outcomes justifies further research

Comparison between Self-Report and a Dipstick Method (NicCheck 1®) to Assess Nicotine Intake

The purpose of this study was to investigate the agreement between self-reported tobacco consumption and NicCheck 1® (Dynagen Inc. Cambridge, Mass., USA) regarding smoking status and nicotine intake in a population of smokers (20.8%) and non-smokers. NicCheck 1 is a dipstick that changes colour in the presence of urinary nicotine metabolites. Smoking was assessed by self-report and NicCheck 1 in 169 males and 191 females (mean age 36.0 SD 0.7). Self-report and NicCheck 1 agreed highly on smoking status, especially in moderate to heavy smokers. With regard to nicotine intake, there was a large overlap in self-reported tobacco consumption between NicCheck 1 levels, despite a relatively high correlation coefficient between self-report and NicCheck 1 in smokers (i.e. 0.74). No effect modification by gender or BMI was found. When both methods were validated against two blood lipid parameters, self-report seemed to do equally well as NicCheck 1 in assessing nicotine intake. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Base

In a prospective study in young people, associations between changes in smoking behavior and risk factors for cardiovascular disease were complex

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates how voluntary changes in tobacco consumption are related to changes in biological risk factors for cardiovascular disease in 21- to 36-year-old men and women. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Data of the Amsterdam Growth and Health Longitudinal Study (AGAHLS) were used to study the association between voluntary changes in tobacco consumption and changes in biological risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) during 4-6 years of follow-up in 165 men and 195 women aged 21-36 years. We used multiple linear regression analyses with corrections for age and changes in other lifestyles. RESULTS: In both sexes, we found trends for a reduction in blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), body weight, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and a rise in the ratio between total serum cholesterol (TC) and HDL-C (TC/HDL-C) with increasing tobacco consumption. Opposite trends were found with reducing tobacco consumption. In women, body weight, WHR, and waist circumference reduced significantly and independently with increasing tobacco consumption and increased significantly with decreasing tobacco consumption. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that voluntary changes in tobacco consumption go together with both healthy and unhealthy changes in biological risk factors for CV