Correlates of sedentary behaviour in Asian adults: A systematic review

Abstract

Summary The objective of this study is to systematically review the evidence on correlates of sedentary behaviour (SB) among Asian adults. We searched for studies that examined individual, environmental, and political/cultural correlates of total and domain‐specific SB (transport, occupation, leisure, and screen time) in Asian adults published from 2000 onwards in nine scientific databases. Two reviewers independently screened identified references. Following quality assessment of included studies, we performed narrative synthesis that considered differences based on SB measurements, regions, and population characteristics (PROSPERO: CRD42018095268). We identified 13 249 papers of which we included 49, from four regions and 12 countries. Researchers conducted cross‐sectional analyses and most relied on SB self‐report for SB measurement. Of the 118 correlates studied, the following associations were consistent: higher age, living in an urban area (East Asia), and lower mental health with higher total SB; higher education with higher total and occupational SB; higher income with higher leisure‐time SB; higher transit density with higher total SB in older East Asians; and being an unmarried women with higher SB in the Middle East. We encourage more research in non‐high‐income countries across regions, further exploration of important but neglected correlates using longitudinal designs and qualitative research, and the use of objective instruments to collect SB data.

Sedentary Behavior and Associated Factors Among Working Adults in Eastern Ethiopia

“…Our study shows that sedentary behavior was associated with frequent consumption of alcohol and khat. Similar findings were reported previously ( 46 , 47 ). The use of alcohol and especially Khat involves prolonged sitting.…”

Prevalence and patterns of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and their association with health-related quality of life within a multi-ethnic Asian population

“…It is possible that married individuals may have less sedentary behaviour due to child- rearing practices or encouragement from their significant other to have a healthier lifestyle. Socioeconomic status has long been shown to be the most consistent factor that is positively related with sedentary behaviour across both Western [ 41 , 62 ] and Asian cultures [ 15 , 22 , 51 , 71 ]. This is likely because individuals with higher income and educational levels are more likely to work in sedentary occupations.…”

“…This is likely because individuals with higher income and educational levels are more likely to work in sedentary occupations. Müller et al [ 51 ] also suggested that increased income may be related to the purchase of items such as cars and home entertainment that may encourage sedentary behaviour. The bulk of research has provided evidence that breaking up prolonged and uninterrupted periods of sedentary time may provide beneficial metabolic effects [ 5 , 32 , 47 ].…”

The Effect of Containment Measures during the Covid-19 Pandemic to Sedentary Behavior of Thai Adults: Evidence from Thailand’s Surveillance on Physical Activity 2019–2020

“…Many studies have documented that females are less physically active and more sedentary than males [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Body composition, innate physical strength, and self-efficacy were often pointed to as the cause [ 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ], apart from cultural factors (e.g., domestication, belief in fair skin as an asset) which may contribute to the higher level of SB of women in Thai society [ 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”