The relationship between cell phone use, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in adults aged 18–80

Abstract

PurposeTo assess situational cell phone use (i.e., sitting, standing, or physically active) and the relationship between cell phone use, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in adults 18–80 years old. MethodsAn on-line survey was completed by adults (N = 423; n = 256 females, 40 ± 16 years old) which assessed situational and total cell phone use, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. ResultsMean cell phone use was 239 ± 224 min/day and 81% of respondents reported typically sitting when using the device. Linear regression found cell use was positively associated with sedentary behavior and the physical activity by sedentary behavior interaction term (i.e., assessment of the “active couch potato” phenomenon), negatively associated with age, and not related to physical activity or sex. ANCOVA revealed that high cell users participated in significantly more sedentary time (521 ± 23 min/d sitting) than low users (442 ± 17 min/d sitting) with no differences between high and moderate users (471 ± 21 min/d sitting) or between low and moderate users. ConclusionCell phone use was positively associated with sedentary behavior and the physical activity by sedentary behavior interaction term but not physical activity. Implications are discussed in the context of behavioral economics.