Sedentary behavior is not only common but also has emerged as a major
health risk factor in the last decade. The authors of
the current Perspectives editorial define sedentary behavior as an
energy expenditure equal or less than 1.5 metabolic equivalents
while in a sitting, reclining, or lying posture. They note that
sedentary behavior is part of everyone's daily life, but that
these behaviors increase in the evening and on weekends. Research
that uses devices to measure physical activity have found
that adults typically spend 9 hours per day sitting. This value
increases to 10 hours per day among older adults.
Sedentary lifestyles are associated with negative health outcomes. But the fact that all of us sit a lot has made sedentary behavior into a frequently discussed public health issue. The authors of the current study note that nearly 300 news articles claimed that sitting is the new smoking, in terms of its effects on public health. Such articles became 12 times more common between 2012 and 2016.
- Sedentary behavior is defined by energy expenditure equal or less than 1.5 metabolic equivalents while in a sitting, reclining, or lying posture. Sedentary behaviors increase in the evening and on weekends. Research has found that adults typically spend 9 hours per day sitting. This value increases to 10 hours per day among older adults.
- The current commentary demonstrates that smoking is associated with much higher risks for mortality compared with sedentary behavior, although sitting time may be more associated with the risk for incident diabetes.
- Implications for the Healthcare Team: The healthcare team may emphasize the importance of physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior to achieve broad health goals, but smoking remains the primary reversible risk factor for early death. Am J Public Health. 2018;108:1478-1482.
