Objectively measured sedentary time and physical activity time across the lifespan: a cross-sectional study in four age groups

Abstract

BackgroundFrom a health perspective it is suggested to promote a positive balance between time spent in light intensity physical activity (LIPA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) (i.e. spending more time in LIPA than time spent in SB). However, no studies have reported prevalence rates of the LIPA-SB balance yet. The aim of this study was to objectively investigate the time spent in SB, in LIPA and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) in four Belgian age groups and to explore which proportion of the population had a favorable balance between LIPA and SB and combined this with recommended amount of MVPA.MethodsAccelerometer data from 7 cross-sectional studies (N=2083) in four age groups (preschoolers, primary schoolchildren, secondary schoolchildren and adults) were aggregated. Differences in SB and PA between age groups and between men and women were determined by two-way MANCOVA. LIPA-SB balance was calculated and participants were categorized into one of four groups: (1) positive LIPA-SB balance (LIPA> SB) & sufficient MVPA (2) negative LIPA-SB balance & sufficient MVPA (3) positive LIPA-SB balance & insufficient MVPA (4) negative LIPA-SB balance & insufficient MVPA.ResultsFor the total sample, 55% of the waking time was spent in SB, 39% in LIPA and 6% in MVPA. Differences in SB between age groups was dependent from gender (p<0.001). Further, a positive LIPA-SB balance was assessed in 18% of the total sample and only 10% combined this positive balance with recommended amount of MVPA. Secondary schoolgirls were most at risk, with only 1% of the sample combining a positive LIPA-SB balance with sufficient MVPA. Another risk group was the large proportion (43%) of adult men who combined sufficient MVPA with a negative LIPA-SB balance.ConclusionA high proportion of the Belgian population is at risk if taking into account both SB and PA levels. Secondary schoolgirls have the unhealthiest SB and PA profile and are therefore an important target group for interventions both increasing MVPA and decreasing SB. In men more attention should be given in promoting a positive LIPA-SB balance independently from their compliance with the MVPA guidelines.

Accelerometer-based measures in physical activity surveillance: current practices and issues

“…Across different studies and age groups, between 27% and 74% of participants who satisfied the inclusion criteria (eg, 4 days×10 h), did not have valid accelerometer data for all days of measurement14 25 26 28 91 92 and their average wearing time per valid day was between 13 and 15 h 14 25–27 28 93. This shows that some awake time is not monitored.…”

Systematic review of the relationships between objectively measured physical activity and health indicators in school-aged children and youth

“…This research gap may be due to the historical focus on MVPA (Tremblay et al 2010a;Marshall and Ramirez 2011) and the widespread use of subjective assessments of PA (Reilly et al 2008;Adamo et al 2009;Janssen and LeBlanc 2010;Trost et al 2011), which cannot accurately capture LPA (e.g., various incidental activities accumulated throughout the day) (Hamilton et al 2004;Tremblay et al 2007). This is unfortunate, as studies from Canada and the United States indicate that children and youth spend ϳ4-6 h/day in LPA (Matthews et al 2008;Troiano et al 2008;Colley et al 2011;Chaput et al 2014), and emerging research suggests that spending more waking hours in LPA compared with sedentary pursuits may provide some health benefits (Hamilton et al 2004;Tremblay et al 2007Tremblay et al , 2010aSpittaels et al 2012).…”

Inclinometer Validation and Analysis of Sedentary Behavior in Older Adolescent University Students

“…For example, one study of pre-adolescents noted most participants fit into one of three groups: high SB with high PA, low SB with high PA, and moderate SB with low PA. 8 In another similar study that included both children and adults (including older adolescents), more than one third of the adolescent and adult participants were categorized with disproportionately highly SB and yet still met recommended daily PA guidelines. 9 These studies reinforce the concept that populations with high amounts of PA may also demonstrate excessive SB. Uncharacteristic of most study samples, the participants in this research averaged 68 minutes of MVPA every day.…”

“…The results of this study highlight the importance of knowing the target (25) Television (20) Studying (19) Computers (11) Napping (5) Movies (4) Writing (4) Drawing (3) Art (2) Card games (2) Eating (2) Meetings (2) Music (2) Time with friends (2) Tutoring ( (1) Running (35) Weightlifting (27) Basketball (14) Biking (10) Student clubs (9) Tennis (9) Walking (9) Cooking (8) Soccer (8) Volunteering (8) Rowing (7) Swimming (7) Volleyball (7) Dancing (6) Football (5) Gym (5) Jogging (5) Baking (4) Hiking (4) Frisbee (3) Working out (3) Boxing (2) Camping (2) Church activities (2) Coaching (2) Guitar (2) Piano (2) Racquetball (2) Sand volleyball (2) Softball (2) Sports (2) Taekwondo (2) Violin (2) Wushu (2) Yoga (2) Babysitting ( Note. MVPA=moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.…”