Associations between objectively assessed and self-reported sedentary time with mental health in adults: an analysis of data from the Health Survey for England

Abstract

ObjectiveThere is increasing interest in the association between sedentary behaviour and mental health, although most studies have relied solely on self-reported measures, thus making results prone to various biases. The aim was to compare associations between objectively assessed and self-reported sedentary time with mental health in adults.SettingCommunity dwelling population sample drawn from the 2008 Health Survey for England.Participants11 658 (self-report analysis) and 1947 (objective data) men and women.Primary outcomeThe 12-item General Health Questionnaire was administered to assess psychological distress. Sedentary and physical activity (exposure) was objectively measured using accelerometers (Actigraph GT1M) worn around the waist during waking hours for seven consecutive days.ResultsThe highest tertile of objective sedentary time was associated with higher risk of psychological distress (multivariate adjusted OR=1.74, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.83), as was the highest tertile of self-reported total sitting time (OR=1.34, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.56). Self-reported, but not objective, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was associated with lower risk of psychological distress. Only objective light-intensity activity was associated with lower risk of psychological distress.ConclusionsSedentary time is associated with adverse mental health.

Is a single question of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) valid for measuring sedentary behaviour in the Chilean population?

“…In our study, women had higher time for both objectively measured and self-reported SB, but no statistical differences were observed versus men. These results showed that objectively measured time spent in SB in Chilean adults is comparable to that shown in adults from England (Hamer, Coombs, & Stamatakis, 2014). Self-reported time spent in SB (Table 1) showed similar results to those found with a similar question from the IPAQ in other South American countries such as Brazil and Colombia (Bauman et al, 2011), but lower than those reported in the United States (Cleland et al, 2014;Harrington, Barreira, Staiano, & Katzmarzyk, 2014).…”

Sedentary behaviour and the risk of depression: a meta-analysis

“…Sedentary behaviour is negatively associated with mental well-being39/health 40 41. Depression is a common form of mental distress.…”

Accelerometer-assessed light physical activity is protective of future cognitive ability: A longitudinal study among community dwelling older adults

“…cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), liver disease, renal disease, and arthritis; difficulties with activities of daily living (ADLs, no difficulties at all vs. some or great difficulties); depressive symptoms assessed by the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) using cutoff of 5 (no vs. yes), (Brink et al 1982;Yesavage and Sheikh 1986); mean daily accelerometer wear time (Hamer et al 2014), and baseline AD8 scores.…”