Abstract
BackgroundStudies suggest a relationship between sitting time and cardiovascular disease mortality. Our aim was to identify socio-demographic, contextual, and clinical (e.g., body composition, diabetes duration) correlates of self-reported sitting time among adults with type 2 diabetes, a clinical population at high risk for cardiovascular disease. We sought to determine if there was an inverse relationship between sitting and step counts in a diabetes cohort in whom we had previously identified low step counts with further lowering in fall/winter.MethodsThe cohort included 198 adults (54 % men; age 60.0 SD 11.5 years; Body mass index 30.4 SD 5.6 kg/m2) (Montréal, Canada). Socio-demographic, contextual and clinical factors were assessed using standardized questionnaires and step counts with a pedometer over 14 days (concealed viewing windows). Total sitting time was estimated once per season (up to 4 times per year at –month intervals) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short version. Potential sitting time correlates were evaluated using Bayesian longitudinal hierarchical linear regression models in participants with sitting time data (n = 191).ResultsThe average sitting time was 308 (SD 161) minutes/day without variation across seasons. Sitting time correlates were being an immigrant (56 fewer minutes/day spent sitting compared to non- immigrants, 95 % credible interval, CrI: −100, −11) and having a university degree (55 more minutes/day spent sitting compared to those without a university degree, 95 % CrI: 10, 100) after adjustment for potential correlates observed in univariate analyses (sex, age, job status, waist circumference, depressed mood, steps). Correlation between sitting and steps, adjusted for age and sex, was −0.144 (95 % CI: −0.280, 0.002).ConclusionThere was low correlation between sitting time and step counts. Therefore, high sitting time and low step counts are behaviours that may need to be independently targeted. Interventions to reduce sitting time in adults with type 2 diabetes may need to target non-immigrants and those with a university degree.
Highlights
Studies suggest a relationship between sitting time and cardiovascular disease mortality
Adults with established type 2 diabetes are characterized by low levels of physical activity with step counts falling in the low active category according to the cut-offs proposed by Tudor-Locke and Bassett [2, 3]
This study is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of adults (n = 201) with physician-diagnosed type 2 diabetes recruited through McGill University-affiliated outpatient clinics conducted in Montréal (Canada)
Summary
Studies suggest a relationship between sitting time and cardiovascular disease mortality. There is between-country variation, average sitting time in adult populations, measured by self-report, is approximately 300 to 360 min per day (i.e., 5 to 6 h) [12, 13] Both high sitting time and low step counts are undesirable behaviours for optimal health. It is not clear whether those with low step counts are the same group of individuals with high sitting time Clarification of this issue would help to strengthen the developing of health behaviour-enhancing interventions aiming to reduce vascular disease risk in type 2 diabetes. To effectively address this newly-emerging vascular risk factor, it would be helpful to identify the sitting time predictors and correlates, in groups at increased risk for mortality, such as people with type 2 diabetes [14]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
