Correlates of sedentary behavior in the general population: A cross-sectional study using nationally representative data from six low- and middle-income countries.

Ai Koyanagi,Davy Vancampfort,Brendon Stubbs,David Alejandro González-Chica

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0202222

Abstract

BackgroundSedentary behavior (SB) is associated with adverse health outcomes independent of levels of physical activity. However, data on its correlates are scarce from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Thus, we assessed the correlates of SB in six LMICs (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa) using nationally representative data.MethodsCross-sectional, community-based data on 42,469 individuals aged ≥18 years from the World Health Organization’s Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health were analyzed. Self-reported time spent sedentary per day was the outcome. High SB was defined as ≥8 hours of SB per day. The correlates (sociodemographic and health-related) of high SB were estimated by multivariable logistic regression analyses.ResultsThe overall prevalence (95%CI) of high SB was 8.3% (7.1–9.7%). In the overall sample, the most important sociodemographic correlates of high SB were unemployment and urban residence. Physical inactivity, morbid obesity (BMI≥30.0 kg/m2), higher number of chronic conditions, poor self-reported health, higher disability levels, and worse health status in terms of mobility, pain/discomfort, affect, sleep/energy and cognition were associated with high SB. Several between-country differences were found.ConclusionThe current data provides important guidance for future interventions across LMICs to assist sedentary people to reduce their SB levels.

Highlights

Sedentary behavior (SB) is defined as behaviors that involve sitting or reclining positions and low levels of energy expenditure ( 1.5 metabolic equivalents) during waking hours [1]
Morbid obesity (BMI!30.0 kg/m2), higher number of chronic conditions, poor self-reported health, higher disability levels, and worse health status in terms of mobility, pain/discomfort, affect, sleep/energy and cognition were associated with high SB
Given the aforementioned gaps and limitations within the literature, we aimed to investigate SB correlates among community-dwelling adults in six low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa) that participated in the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE)

Summary

Introduction

Sedentary behavior (SB) is defined as behaviors that involve sitting or reclining positions and low levels of energy expenditure ( 1.5 metabolic equivalents) during waking hours [1]. There is emerging evidence that SB is associated with adverse health outcomes across the lifespan, from adolescents [2] through to older adults [3]. More recent evidence has suggested that SB is associated with some mental health comorbidities such as depression [7] and anxiety [8]. Some authors have suggested that the adverse relationship between SB and health outcomes may be independent of a person’s physical activity levels [9, 10]. Sedentary behavior (SB) is associated with adverse health outcomes independent of levels of physical activity. Data on its correlates are scarce from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We assessed the correlates of SB in six LMICs (China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa) using nationally representative data

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