Cross-Sectional Associations between Home Environmental Factors and Domain-Specific Sedentary Behaviors in Adults: The Moderating Role of Socio-Demographic Variables and BMI

Abstract

Despite the negative health effects of too much sitting, the majority of adults are too sedentary. To develop effective interventions, insight is needed into home environmental correlates of adults’ sedentary behaviors, and into the susceptibility of population subgroups to these home environmental cues. In total, 559 Flemish adults reported socio-demographics, weight and height, home environmental factors and domain-specific sedentary behaviors. Generalized linear modeling was conducted to examine main associations between home environmental factors and domain-specific sedentary behaviors, and to test the moderating role of socio-demographics and BMI on these associations. In case of significant interactions, stratified analyses were performed. Results showed that, among those who did use a computer/laptop during the last week, a one-unit increase in the number of computers or laptops was associated with 17% (OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.02, 1.34) and 24% (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.08, 1.43) more minutes computer time per day, respectively. The proximity of the remote controller (p < 0.001) and the number of televisions (p = 0.03) were positively associated with television time, and the number of motorized vehicles (95% CI = 0.001, 0.12) was positively associated with the odds of participation in transport-related sitting time. The latter two associations were moderated by BMI, with significant positive associations limited to those not overweight. To conclude, home environmental factors were associated with domain-specific sedentary behaviors, especially in healthy weight adults. If confirmed by longitudinal studies, public health professionals should encourage adults to limit the number of indoor entertainment devices and motorized vehicles.

Socio-Demographic Correlates of Total and Domain-Specific Sedentary Behavior in Latin America: A Population-Based Study

“…Within countries, total and domain-specific sitting time has been shown to vary by indices of socio-demographic factors. For example, younger individuals (21-30 years-old) spend more time in leisure sitting time than older individuals (>61 years-old) [13]. Further, greater access to social media at home has been related to increased screen-based SB [14] and an elevated risk of developing poor mental health outcomes [15].…”

Correlates of sedentary behaviour and light physical activity in people living with rheumatoid arthritis: protocol for a longitudinal study

“…For example, examining the determinants of SB in the workplace might not be as relevant to an older adult population as the home or neighbourhood environment might be. 63 Indeed, aspects of the home environment, such as the number of televisions and motorised vehicles, have been positively correlated with levels of SB in adults (mean age = 57.5 years). 63 Furthermore, aesthetic features outside of the home environment (e.g., public parks, trees) have been inversely associated with leisure-time SB in adults (mean age = 52.2 years).…”

“…63 Indeed, aspects of the home environment, such as the number of televisions and motorised vehicles, have been positively correlated with levels of SB in adults (mean age = 57.5 years). 63 Furthermore, aesthetic features outside of the home environment (e.g., public parks, trees) have been inversely associated with leisure-time SB in adults (mean age = 52.2 years). 65 To date, no studies have investigated the physical environmental correlates of SB and LPA in the RA population.…”

“…The physical environment has been identified as a modifiable determinant of SB. 63 Furthermore, the Systems of SBs framework emphasises the importance of prioritising investigation into physical environmental factors, and their relationship with SB accumulation in different populations. Distinguishing between specific factors within the 109 TITLE 109 physical environment (e.g., home, workplace, neighbourhood) has been stressed as important when examining the determinants of SB, in order to ensure interventions can be properly targeted.…”

“…At present, research studies examining the physical environmental determinants of SB often fail to be domain-specific, which can lead to contradicting evidence. 63 The Systems of SBs framework also depicts that elements of the physical environment may influence SB engagement in different ways, among different populations. For example, examining the determinants of SB in the workplace might not be as relevant to an older adult population as the home or neighbourhood environment might be.…”