Sedentary behaviours and obesity in adults: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Abstract

ObjectiveSedentary behaviour may contribute to the development of obesity. We investigated the relations between different types of sedentary behaviour and adiposity markers in a well-characterised adult population after controlling for a wide range of potential confounders.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingThe Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Multicenter Study. Participants Sedentary time (TV viewing, computer time, reading, music/radio listening and other relaxation) was assessed with a questionnaire for 1084 women and 909 men aged 30–45 years. Other study variables included occupational and leisure-time physical activity, sleep duration, socioeconomic status, smoking, alcohol consumption, energy intake, adherence to the recommended diet, multiple individual food items, age and genetic variants associated with body mass index (BMI). Primary outcome measures BMI in kg/m2 and waist circumference (WC in cm).ResultsOf the different sedentary behaviour types, TV viewing was most consistently related to higher BMI and WC, both in men and women. One additional daily TV hour was associated with a 1.81±0.44 cm larger WC in women and 2 cm±0.44 cm in men (both p<0.0001). The association with TV was diluted, but remained highly significant after adjustments with all measured covariates, including several potentially obesogenic food items associated with TV viewing. The intakes of food items such as sausage, beer and soft drinks were directly associated with TV viewing, while the intakes of oat and barley, fish, and fruits and berries were associated indirectly. After these adjustments, non-TV sedentary behaviour remained associated with adiposity indices only in women.ConclusionsOut of the different types of sedentary behaviour, TV viewing was most consistently associated with adiposity markers in adults. Partial dilution of these associations after adjustments for covariates suggests that the obesogenic effects of TV viewing are partly mediated by other lifestyle factors.

Differential cross-sectional associations of work- and leisure-time sitting, with cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness among working adults

“…This is in line with mounting evidence for a differential effect of different domains of sitting (14,16,35) and suggests that sitting during work and leisure time involve different types of sitting [eg, the modality of sitting (posture, duration and number of breaks)], attributes of the environment, and the social contexts (36). Results may equally give claim to another interpretation: they might reflect residual socioeconomic confounding, eg, is a truck driver who sits a lot comparable to a desk-based officer?…”

Determinants of body mass index by gender in the Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System site, South Africa

“…Moreover, some cross-sectional and longitudinal studies question the aetiological role of PI, while the role of specific macro-nutrients in the development of obesity remains controversial [14–16]. In addition, factors such as sedentarism, stress, lack of sleep and a cultural belief that bigger-is-healthier have been associated with increased body mass index (BMI) [8,11,17]. An independent, positive relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and BMI was reported in rural but not urban women, suggesting variations between rural and urban areas [16].…”

Correlates of Achieving the Guidelines of Four Forms of Physical Activity, and the Relationship between Guidelines Achievement and Academic Performance: Undergraduate Students in Finland

“…military recruits (19-20 year olds) (23); or was population based and not wholly focused on PA and sedentary behaviours, e.g. as part of a large cardiovascular risk study or the young Finns study (24,25). Still other research in Finland (26) tracked PA from early childhood through youth into adulthood, but did not go beyond the age of 18 years thus falling short of the age of most university populations.…”