Leisure-time Sedentary Behavior Research Articles

Associations between Leisure and Work Time Activity Behavior and 24 H Ambulatory Blood Pressure among Aging Workers.

Purpose: The associations between work time, leisure-time, and non-workday physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SED) and 24 h ambulatory blood pressure (BP) are not well known. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between domain-specific activity behavior and 24 h blood pressure.Methods: A hundred and fifty-six aging workers (mean age 62.4 [SD 1.0] years, BMI 26.2 [4.5] kg/m2, 84 % women, 75 % non-manual occupation) from the Finnish Retirement and Aging study (FIREA) were included. Standing, light and moderate-to-vigorous PA (LPA and MVPA, respectively), and SED were measured using thigh-worn accelerometers and work time, leisure-time, and non-workdays were distinguished using a diary. Ambulatory 24 h BP was analyzed as mean daytime and nighttime systolic and diastolic BP, and the nocturnal BP dipping percentage was calculated. Associations were examined with linear regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, occupation, work time mode, job strain, BMI, BP medication, and accelerometer wear time.Results: Higher work time SED associated with lower nighttime diastolic BP (B = -0.92, 95% CI -1.83, -0.01). In addition, higher work time standing associated with higher daytime diastolic BP (B = 1.34, 95% CI 0.03, 2.65) and higher work time LPA with less diastolic BP dipping (B = -3.57, 95% CI -6.80, -0.34). MVPA in any domain was not associated with ambulatory BP.Conclusions: Higher work time SED associated with a more favorable diastolic BP, and higher work time PA associated with more adverse diastolic BP among aging workers. In conclusion, work time, rather than leisure time or non-workday, activity behavior seems to associate with 24 h ambulatory BP.

Impact of Replacing Sedentary Behavior with Physical Activity and Sleep on Stroke Risk: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Our research explores how leisure-time sedentary behavior (SB) correlates with stroke risk. Additionally, we utilize the isotemporal substitution model (ISM) to examine how replacing brief durations of leisure-time SB with light physical activity (LPA), moderate physical activity (MPA), vigorous physical activity (VPA), and sleep might influence the risk of stroke. This investigation tracked 478,198 participants from the UK Biobank. Data regarding individual leisure-time SB and PA were collected through a standardized questionnaire. A Cox proportional hazards model, alongside an isotemporal substitution model (ISM), was utilized. We identified 10,003 cases of incident stroke over 12.7 years. When compared to participants who engaged in leisure-time SB for less than 4hours per day, the hazard ratios (HRs) for stroke incidence increased with more prolonged leisure-time SB: HRs were 1.06 (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.11) for 4-6h/d, 1.16 (95% CI: 1.10 to 1.23) for 6-8h/d, and 1.24 (95% CI: 1.15 to 1.33) for over 8h/d. According to the ISM analysis, substituting leisure-time SB with various forms of PA could markedly reduce stroke risk. For individuals sleeping ≤8h/d, replacing one hour of leisure-time SB with an equivalent duration of LPA, VPA, or sleep corresponded to a 3.0%, 7.0%, and 22.0% decrease in stroke risk, respectively. Meanwhile, for those already sleeping more than 8h/d, substituting one hour of leisure-time SB with an equivalent duration of LPA or VPA resulted in a notable decrease in the risk of stroke by 6.0% and 18.0%, respectively. The findings demonstrate that leisure-time SB and unhealthy sleep durations are confirmed risk factors for stroke. For individuals sleeping 8hours or less per day, and for those who sleep more than 8hours, substituting SB with an adequate amount of sleep or engaging in VPA, respectively, emerges as an effective strategy for reducing stroke risk.

Leisure Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activities, and Cardiovascular Disease Among Individuals With Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study assesses the association between leisure-time physical activity, sedentary behavior, and CVD risk among patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, considering genetic predisposition to CVD. This cohort study included 157 794 participants with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease from the UK Biobank who were free of CVD at baseline. The study measured leisure-time sedentary behaviors (watching TV, using a computer, and driving) and physical activities (walking for pleasure, light and heavy do-it-yourself activities, strenuous sports, and other exercises) in terms of frequency and duration over the 4 weeks before assessment. Both a Cox proportional hazard model and an isotemporal substitution model were utilized in the study to assess the association between leisure sedentary behavior, physical activities, and CVD risk. During a median 12.5 years of follow-up, 26 355 CVD cases were reported, including 19 746 coronary heart disease, 4836 stroke, and 7398 heart failure cases. High physical activity levels were linked to a significantly lower risk of CVD (21%), coronary heart disease (20%), stroke (15%), and heart failure (31%). In contrast, individuals with >6.5 h/d of sedentary behavior faced a 16% to 21% higher risk of these conditions compared with those with ≤3.5 h/d. Notably, replacing 30 minutes of inactivity with physical activity reduced CVD risks by 3% to 16%, particularly with strenuous sports. A significant interaction was observed between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and genetic predisposition in relation to stroke risk. Among patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease, higher leisure-time physical activity levels correlate with reduced CVD risks, while increased sedentary behavior is linked to higher CVD risks. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity consistently shows benefits in reducing CVD outcomes, irrespective of genetic predisposition.

Effects of an Online Health Management Program for South Korean Adolescents with Complex Congenital Heart Disease during Their Transition to Adulthood: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Adolescents with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) are at risk of experiencing complications later in life. The purpose of this study was to develop an online health management program for adolescents with complex CHD and to evaluate its effects on self-efficacy, health behavior, and health-related quality of life. A randomized controlled trial design was used. A total of 29 adolescents with complex CHD were divided into an experimental group of 15 and a control group of 14. Participants in the intervention group took part in the 4-week online health management program (weekly online group sessions, 1:1 phone coaching, dietary diary feedback, and provision of health information) developed based on self-efficacy theory, while those in the control group received standard medical follow-up. Data were collected from August 2021 to March 2022 using a questionnaire-including the Korean Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices: Health Self-Efficacy Measure (K-SRAHP) and Pediatric Cardiac Quality of Life Inventory (PCQLI)-and an ActiGraph accelerometer to track physical activity and sleep. The intervention group showed significant improvements in health self-efficacy (p = 0.003), psychosocial impact (p = 0.013), daily step counts (p = 0.011), and moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity (p = 0.027). Additionally, a decrease in weekend leisure time sedentary behavior (p = 0.035) was observed. However, there were no significant differences in sleep behavior between two groups. The online health management program significantly enhanced self-efficacy, health behavior, and psychosocial impact in adolescents with complex CHD. These findings will inform the development of policies for transitional medical care tailored to adolescents with complex CHD.

The association of physical activity and leisure-time sedentary behavior with perceived stress among Chinese adults: A cross-sectional study based on the Chinese health and nutrition survey data

ObjectivePhysical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) include several domains, whether the association of PA and SB with perceived stress is domain-specific is not clear. This study aims to identify associations of physical activity (exercise and housework) and leisure-time sedentary behavior (LTSB) with perceived stress among Chinese adults. MethodsThe data were collected from the 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Respondents completed multiple questionnaires developed by the CHNS team, from which we extracted and sorted PA and LTSB data. Perceived stress was measured using the 14-item Perceived Stress Scale. PA was measured using a questionnaire covering 7 types of commonly practiced exercises and 4 types of housework activities among Chinese individuals. Consecutive questions were used to inquire about the time spent on each type of PA. The measurement of LTSB was conducted in the same manner. Data analysis involved Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results11,471 adults were included, with an average age of 52.3 years, and 48.3 % were male. 69.9 % (8,019) of respondents reported high perceived stress. Following adjustment for age, gender and other factors, perceived stress was lower for adults reporting medium exercise time (1–2 h) compared with excessively (≥2 h) (OR=1.314 [95 %CI 1.071, 1.612], P<0.001) and least (<1 h) (OR=1.273 [95 %CI 1.115, 1.413], P<0.001) active adults. Perceived stress was higher for adults reporting less housework time (<1 h) compared with adults spending medium (1–2 h) (OR=0.860 [0.744, 0.993], P<0.05) and long (≥2 h) (OR=0.725 [95 %CI 0.628, 0.838], P<0.001) time on housework. Low-level LTSB (<2 h) was associated with higher perceived stress than medium- (2–4 h) (OR=0.817 [0.718, 0.930], P<0.01) and high-level LTSB (≥4 h) (OR=0.668 [0.577, 0.773], P<0.001). ConclusionsThe association of PA and SB with perceived stress is domain-specific. Medium exercise time and extended housework time are associated with reduced perceived stress. Additionally, our findings suggesting that increasing the time spent on LTSB is linked to lower perceived stress levels.

Associations between domains of sedentary behavior, well-being, and quality of life – a cross-sectional study

The importance of reducing sedentary behavior (SB) in the prevention of mortality and chronic and mental diseases is scientifically well grounded, but SB can be accumulated in diverse domains of life, such as leisure-time SB, transport between home/work/school when sitting (transport-related SB), or in occupational settings such as working or studying (occupational SB), and the associations for each domain of SB with well-being measures and quality of life are still underexplored from a positive perspective. Through a cross-sectional investigation, we collected data from 584 participants who completed a questionnaire throughout November 2021 and with Spearman correlation test, analysed the associations between SB in three different domains with psychological well-being, satisfaction with life, and quality of life. Our results indicated that after adjustment for physical activity, sex, body mass index, smoking history, chronic disease status, financial perception, quality/duration of sleep and university group, in younger adults (18 to 24 years old), leisure-time SB was negatively related to psychological well-being (rho = -0.255; p = 0.008), and in adults (25 to 64 years old), occupational SB was negatively related to satisfaction with life (rho = -0.257; p < .001) and the mental component of quality of life (rho = -0.163; p = 0.027). Our findings highlight the idea that not all SB is built the same and that future strategies to reduce SB from people’s lives must target specific domains of SB according to the age group when aiming to improve well-being and quality of life.

The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity and sedentary behaviour in secondary school teachers: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundMid-March 2020, Belgium went in lockdown to combat the COVID-19-pandemic. Having to provide school-based day care and adapt to online teaching, while all social, cultural and sports events and activities were cancelled, secondary school teachers’ physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) may have been affected considerably. This study investigates the impact of the first Belgian lockdown on PA and SB in Flemish secondary school teachers.MethodsThis prospective cohort study was conducted throughout the 2019–2020 school year. PA and SB measured in March/April 2020 were compared with a pre-lockdown measurement in January/February 2020. Other pre-lockdown measurements (September/October 2019 and November/December 2019) and one other during-lockdown measurement (May/June 2020) allowed us to control for confounding. Validated questionnaires were used to assess participants’ PA and SB. Generalized linear mixed models were applied in R.ResultsAmong 624 participants (77·2% females, 43·3 ± 10·3 years), increases were observed for total PA (+ 108 min/week; p = 0·047), moderate PA (+ 217 min/week; p = 0·001), domestic and garden PA (+ 308 min/week; p < 0·0001) and leisure-time PA (+ 131 min/week; p < 0·0001), whereas work-related PA (-289 min/week; p < 0·0001) and active transportation (-38 min/week; p =0·005) decreased. No differences were observed for walking (p = 1·0) and vigorous PA (p = 0·570). Increases were found for total SB (+ 972 min/week; p < 0·0001), work-related SB (+ 662 min/week; p < 0·0001) and leisure-time SB (+ 592 min/week; p = 0·0004), whereas transport-related SB (-290 min/week; p < 0·0001) decreased.ConclusionDuring the lockdown, we found in our sample that Flemish secondary school teachers showed an increase in SB that was 9 times as high as their PA increase. As a government, education network or school, it is crucial to sensitize, promote, and facilitate sufficient MVPA and/or walking, but likewise to discourage SB during pandemic-induced lockdowns.

Joint Effect of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior with the Female Urinary Incontinence: An Analysis of NHANES 2011–2016

Introduction: Our study aimed to assess the independent and joint effects of leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior with urinary incontinence (UI). Methods: Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2016. The primary endpoint was the risk of different subtypes of UI, including stress UI, urgency UI, and mixed UI. The primary exposures were leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior. Sedentary behavior was assessed by screen time. Weighted univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to observe the independent and joint relationship of leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior with UI risk (including stress UI, urgency UI, and mixed UI). Results: In total, 6,927 female participants were included in this analysis. 3,377 females did not have UI, 1,534 had stress UI, 836 had urgency UI, and 1,180 had mixed UI. Screen time with ≥5 h/day was associated with increased odds of urgency UI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.31, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.06–1.61), which indicated the relationship of sedentary behavior and urgency UI. Engaging in leisure-time physical activity with of ≥750 metabolic equivalent (MET)·min/week was found to be significantly associated with reduced likelihood of mixed UI (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.55–0.85). Additionally, the interaction term of leisure-time physical activity<750 MET·min/week and screen time ≥5 h/day was observed to be linked with increased odds of urgency and mixed UI. Conclusion: Participants experiencing a lower level of leisure-time physical activity and a higher level of sedentary behavior together might enhance the urgency and mixed UI risk.

Mood profile in men and women of all ages is improved by leisure-time physical activity rather than work-related physical activity

BackgroundThe aim of our study was to determine how six mood indicators (vigour, fatigue, depression, anger, confusion, tension) depend on moderate to vigorous physical activity, walking time and sedentary time at work, after working hours and during leisure time, in men and women of different age groups.MethodsA total of 1,140 individuals aged 18 to 64 years participated in the study. The participants were enrolled in this cross-sectional survey using a snowball sampling method. An online questionnaire was shared through popular social networks and emails within the period October 2019 to June 2020. Mood responses were assessed using The Brunel Mood Scale-LTU. Physical activity was assessed using the long International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, a two-way analysis of variance, and linear regression analysis were used to interpret the data.ResultsThe survey results showed that vigour and fatigue correlated significantly only with leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity. The present results show a significant positive correlation between women and men moods and leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity, the length of time walking to work and back home, and negative correlation between moods and leisure-time sedentary behaviour. However, there was no significant correlation between moods and work-related moderate to vigorous physical activity and household moderate to vigorous physical activity, walking at work, and sitting duration at work.ConclusionsThis study provides theoretical implications of the physical activity paradox, justifying the benefits of moderate to vigorous physical activity practiced in different circumstances. According to the regression analysis, exercising men in all age groups moved the most (had a higher moderate to vigorous physical activity level) during leisure time, the highest work-related moderate to vigorous physical activity was observed in men and women with lower education, and the highest household moderate to vigorous physical activity was observed in older age men and women living in rural areas. Clinicians and leaders at all levels of health care should consider the greater importance of leisure-time physical activity for mental health when choosing the most targeted physical activity recommendations for mood profile improvement in men and women of different age groups.

Different sedentary behavior domains present distinct associations with eating-related indicators

BackgroundUnhealthful dietary patterns have been consistently associated with low levels of physical activity (PA), but studies dedicated to sedentary behavior (SB) are scarce, especially in adults. The few studies that investigated the association between SB and dietary patterns focused mostly on specific types of SB, such as TV-watching or screen time. SB can be accumulated in distinct domains (i.e., work, transport, and leisure-time), thus, it is key to investigate in depth the impact that different domains of SB can have on eating-related indicators. We aimed to investigate the associations between different SB domains and eating-related indicators, in a sample of adults.MethodsCross-sectional data from students, teachers, and staff from a Portuguese University was collected in November/2021 through an anonymous online survey. Data analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS software (version 28.0) and included descriptive statistics, partial correlations, and group comparisons using one-way ANOVA. Daily average SB at work/study, transport, and in leisure-time were self-reported and eating-related indicators were measured with several items from the Mediterranean Diet Score. Specific eating-related behaviors reflecting a protective eating pattern (e.g., eating breakfast regularly), and eating behavior traits (e.g., external eating) were also assessed. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight (kg)/height(m)2. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire/Short-Form was used to assess PA.ResultsThe sample included 301 adults (60.1% women), with a mean age of 34.5 years. Overall, leisure-time SB was inversely associated with adherence to the Mediterranean diet (r = -0.20; p < 0.001) and with a protective eating profile (r = -0.31; p < 0.001). Higher transport SB was also related to lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet (r = -0.20; p < 0.001) and to an unhealthier eating profile (r = -0.22; p < 0.001), but no associations were found for work-related SB (p > 0.05). These results persisted after the adjustment for BMI, sex, and self-reported PA. These results were impacted by the age tertile.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that adults with higher levels of SB in leisure-time and transport domains tend to report less healthy eating-related behaviors, irrespective of BMI, sex, and PA level. However, some differences in these associations were found according to the age tertile. This information may assist public health authorities in focusing their efforts in augmenting literacy on SB, namely on how SB can be accumulated via different settings. Furthermore, public health literacy efforts need to extend besides the more known deleterious effects of SB on health (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease), to also include the interplay with eating indicators. Strategies to reduce SB and unhealthy eating should be particularly focused on promoting physically active forms of commuting and reducing SB in the leisure setting.

Causal Relationship between Television Viewing Time, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Potential Mechanisms.

As the predominant leisure-time sedentary behavior, television viewing was documented to increase cardiovascular diseases in observational studies, yet the causal relationship and potential mechanisms remain to be determined. To systematically investigate the causal relationship between television viewing time, cardiovascular diseases, and potential mechanisms. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to estimate causal associations with cardiovascular diseases and biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk. The random inverse-variance weighted method was used as the primary estimate. To account for multiple comparisons, a Bonferroni correction p value for cardiovascular diseases and biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk was 0.0045 and 0.0024, respectively. Genetically instrumented television viewing time was associated with higher risks of type 2 diabetes (odd ratio [OR]=2.51; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.89-3.33; p<0.00001), hypertension (OR=2.11; 95% CI: 1.67-2.66; p<0.00001), coronary heart disease (OR=1.53; 95% CI: 1.23-1.91; p=0.00015), and heart failure (OR=1.42; 95% CI: 1.18-1.70; p=0.00017). Suggestive evidence of harmful associations was also observed for peripheral artery disease (OR=1.58; 95% CI: 1.07-2.34; p=0.02253) and ischemic stroke (OR=1.34; 95% CI: 1.10-1.63; p=0.00328). Biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk, including interleukin 10, leptin, visceral adipose, abdominal subcutaneous adipose, liver fat, body mass index, waist circumference, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein, were increased. Systolic blood pressure, heart rate, low-density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol were potentially increased while high-density lipoprotein was decreased. However, television viewing time had no effect on venous thromboembolism or pulmonary embolism. Television viewing time was causally associated with increased risks of cardiovascular diseases, which may be explained by metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms. An overview of the effect of television viewing time on cardiovascular diseases and biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk.

Cannabis and amphetamine use among school-going adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a multi-country analysis of prevalence and associated factors

BackgroundGlobal evidence indicates that early onset of illicit substance use among adolescents and emerging adults is associated with negative mental-health related-outcomes that can persist into adulthood. However, the lack of quality regional data on adolescent illicit substance use and its determinants remains a common barrier to evidence-based policy-making and the development of school-based interventions in Africa. The purpose of our study was to estimate the prevalence and describe the correlates of cannabis and amphetamine use among school-going adolescents in eight sub-Saharan African countries (SSA) – Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, and Tanzania.MethodsWe analysed 15,553 school-going adolescents that participated in the Global School-based Student Health Survey. A two-stage sampling approach was used to generate a nationally representative sample of school children (grades 7–12) in each of these countries. Students responded to a self-administered structured questionnaire that contained information on sociodemographic factors, family involvement factors, mental health factors, school environment factors and past-month cannabis and life-time amphetamine use.ResultsThe overall prevalence estimates of past-month cannabis use and lifetime amphetamine use among school-going adolescents in the eight SSA countries was 4.39% (95% CI = 4.08, 4.72) and 3.05% (95% CI = 2.79, 3.34) respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, demographic characteristics (age and male gender), mental health factors (suicide ideation and attempt), lifestyle factors (cigarette smoking, past-month alcohol use, lifetime drunkenness and leisure-time sedentary behaviour) and school level factors (truancy and bullying victimisation) showed strong associations with increased odds of both past-month cannabis use and lifetime amphetamine use. Social support at school was associated with increased odds for lifetime amphetamine, while parental monitoring decreases the odds for lifetime amphetamine use. It was also observed that parental tobacco use was associated with increased odds of both past-month cannabis use and lifetime amphetamine use.ConclusionThe relatively low overall prevalence estimates of past-month cannabis use and lifetime amphetamine use among school-going adolescents in not surprising. However, the identified risk and protective factors associated with cannabis and amphetamine use underscores the need for these eight countries in SSA to develop contextual and multi-sectoral intervention and school-based prevention programmes that could target school-going adolescents who may be at risk of misusing these illicit drugs.

Are more physical education classes related to less time in leisure-time sedentary behavior? An analysis including adolescents from 73 countries

This study aimed to verify the association between the weekly frequency of physical education (PE) classes and leisure sitting time among adolescents. We analyzed data from 73 countries using the Global School-based Student Health Survey (283,233 adolescents between 11 and 18 years of age). Leisure sitting time and weekly frequency of PE classes were self-reported. Sex, age, and food insecurity were used as covariates and the analyses were stratified by world regions and country income level. Poisson regression models (random-effects meta-analysis) were used for the main analyses. In comparison with 1 PE class per week (reference group), those with no PE classes presented a lower prevalence of ≥ 3 h/d of leisure sitting time (PR [95%CI] = 0.94 [0.91; 0.98]). On the other hand, adolescents with 2 days (PR [95%CI] = 1.06 [1.02; 1.26]), 3–4 days (PR [95%CI] = 1.17 [1.12; 1.22]), and 5 days (PR [95%CI] = 1.08 [1.04; 1.11]) of PE classes presented a higher likelihood of ≥ 3 h/d of leisure sitting time. No clear differences were observed for the different world regions and country income levels. We conclude that a higher weekly frequency of PE classes is associated with increased leisure sitting time among adolescents worldwide.

O.2.3-6 Free-living patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviour of workers from the manufacturing industry of micro, small and medium enterprises: the Happy-OPA project

Abstract Background Occupational physical activity (OPA) may not report the same health benefits as leisure time physical activity (LTPA). While LTPA is beneficial for all workers, OPA can be detrimental for health. Most importantly, LTPA might have different health effects for different occupational groups (low versus high OPA jobs). It is also unclear the influence LTPA or leisure time sedentary behaviour (LTSB) might have on the health, wellbeing and productivity of workers with high OPA jobs. This project will (i) study the free-living patterns of (occupational and leisure time) physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) in workers from the manufacturing industry. Then, we will (ii) investigate associations between free-living patterns of PA and SB with mental health, happiness, absenteeism and work-related injuries of manufacturer workers. Methods Cross-sectional study. Employers and occupational risk prevention services will randomly invite workers (aged 18 to 65) from manufacturing industries of micro, small and medium enterprises in Central Catalonia to participate (n = 220). Participants will wear an ActivPAL device for 7 days and will complete a questionnaire on general health, life balance between work and family life, mental well-being, mental health, work-related happiness and absenteeism. Variables (1) physical activity pattern (activPAL3TM), (2) demographic data and lifestyles (food, tobacco and alcohol habits (ESCA 2022), (3) impact of work on employees' health, absence for illness (5th and 6th European Survey of Working Conditions), (4) well-being (Health Questionnaire, SF-36), (5) Work Health Balance (WHB Questionnaire), (6) Mental Health (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9), (7) Happiness (Pemberton Happiness Index). The group will be analysed on the average value of the variables. Discussion Identifying the free-living patterns of physical activity and sedentary behaviour of workers with high OPA and its associations with health, will provide preliminary data to develop tailored PA (occupational and non-occupational) interventions to this occupational group. Support / Funding Source Grants for the recruitment of research staff (Agency for the Management of University and Research Grants, co-financed by the European Union).

Post-COVID-19 Total and Domain-specific Sedentary Behaviors in Saudi Adults

Objectives: Although previous research reported prevalence of sedentary behavior (SB) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of SB in the post-COVID-19 era remains unexplored. Prevalence, patterns, and determinants of post-COVID-19 total SB, and domain-specific SB in Saudi adults was examined. Methods: Participants (N=1,255; 55% females; 50% aged 20 to 29 years old) completed a Web-based survey (December 2, 2022 ‐ January 25, 2023). The Arabic version of the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire estimated SBs (hours/day) during weekdays and weekend days. Respondents self-reported personal, anthropometric, and socioeconomical variables. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests assessed patterns of total and domain-specific SB and Kruskal-Wallis tests evaluated its determinants. Results: Most participants (54.7%) spent excessive time (≥8 hours/day) in total SB especially during weekdays (p&lt;.001). Leisure-time SB was higher compared to other domain-specific SB (p&lt;.001). Occupational-time SB was higher on weekdays while leisure-time SB was higher during weekends days (p&lt;.001). No statistically significant differences were found for transportational-time SB. Age and occupation were the main determinants of SB (p&lt;.005) while other correlates had more complex associations. Conclusions: Current efforts to reduce SB and suggest that Saudi policymakers, physicians, and researchers target not only daily total SB, but also domain-specific SB, especially in the post-COVID-19 era.

Social isolation is associated with higher leisure-time sedentary behavior and lower physical activity practice: A multi-country analysis of data from 79 countries from the Global School-Based Student Health Survey

AimTo investigate the association of social isolation with physical activity and leisure-time sedentary behavior among adolescents. MethodsWe used data from the Global School-based Health Survey, including a representative sample of 296,861 adolescents (11-18y) from 79 countries (48.9% girls, 14.5 ± 1.6 years). Social isolation was estimated by combining the self-reported number of friends and loneliness perception. Physical activity and leisure-time sedentary behavior were assessed through questionnaires. Multinomial logistic regression models were created to analyze the associations of social isolation with physical activity and leisure-time sedentary behavior. ResultsCompared with those practicing ≥60 min of physical activity during 1‐4 days/week, social isolation was associated with a higher prevalence of not practicing physical activity (Prevalence ratio [PR]:1.24; 95%CI:1.19–1.29), and a lower prevalence of practicing during ≥5d/wk. (PR:0.91; 95%CI:0.88–0.94). Compared with <4 h/d of leisure-time sedentary behavior, being socially isolated was also associated with a higher prevalence of 4-7 h/d (PR: 1.08; 95%CI:1.03–1.14) and ≥ 8 h/d (PR: 1.24; 95%CI:1.16–1.33) of leisure-time sedentary behavior. Compared with those participants without elevated leisure-time sedentary behavior and with those practicing adequate physical activity, social isolation was independently associated with a higher prevalence of physical inactivity (PR: 1.20; 95%CI: 1.15–1.26) and elevated leisure-time sedentary behavior (PR: 1.21; 95%CI: 1.14–1.30), as well as with both risk factors simultaneously (PR: 1.36; 95%CI: 1.28–1.45). ConclusionReducing social isolation could be an important component of future interventions to reduce sedentary behavior and physical inactivity among adolescents.

Combined Effect of Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior on Abdominal Obesity in ELSA-Brasil Participants.

Abdominal obesity is a pattern of obesity that has been considered a public health problem. Physical activity is considered an important factor for the prevention of abdominal obesity. Increased time in sedentary behavior has been associated with negative health outcomes, including abdominal obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate which combination of leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior contributes most to the prevention of abdominal obesity in adults participating in ELSA-Brasil (Longitudinal Study of Adult Health). The study was cross-sectional and participants from the first follow-up of the ELSA-Brasil cohort (2012-2014) were analyzed. The independent variables were physical activity, assessed by IPAQ, and sedentary behavior, assessed by a standard questionnaire applied in ELSA-Brasil; the dependent variable was abdominal obesity, determined by waist circumference. The covariates analyzed were the following: age, education, binge drinking, smoking and menopause. The associations between the dependent variable and the independent variables were analyzed using logistic regression. The odds ratio with 95 CI% was estimated. For men, the combinations were more significant when they were more physically active and spent less time on the sedentary behaviors analyzed, on both a weekday and a weekend day. For menopausal women, both younger and older, all associations of the combinations between sufficient leisure-time physical activity and little time spent in sedentary behaviors contributed to the prevention of abdominal obesity. In non-menopausal women, positive associations were observed in almost all combinations between leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behaviors, with some results that were not statistically significant among younger women. Our results showed that being sufficiently active and reducing the time spent in sedentary behavior was the combination that contributed the most to the prevention of abdominal obesity, both in men and women.

Associations between sedentary behavior and health and the moderating role of physical activity in young people within a cross-sectional investigation

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of sedentary behavior (SB) on the frequency of health complaints (fHC) as well as on self-rated health (SRH) and body mass index (BMI), and to determine whether physical activity (PA) moderated this influence. Data were obtained from the Youth Survey Luxembourg 2019 (N = 2,802), a nationally representative stratified random sample of all youths aged 16 to 29 years who were living in Luxembourg. fHC is a composite measure of eight common psychosomatic health complaints, SRH was measured on a five-point scale, and BMI was calculated by dividing participants’ body weight by the square of their body height (kg/m2). PA and SB values were obtained from factor analyses of the relevant questionnaire items. SB was evaluated as both leisure-time SB and gaming-associated SB. Multiple regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, and migration status were used to determine the association between SB, fHC, BMI, and SRH. We found that leisure-time SB was positively associated with fHC, but not with SRH or BMI. Gaming-associated SB was positively associated with fHC and BMI but was negatively associated with SRH. PA was negatively associated with fHC, BMI and SRH. No statistically significant moderating effects were observed. We found that both leisure-time and gaming-associated SB showed statistically significant impacts on health. Although PA is known to be beneficial to health, we conclude that its potential to mitigate the negative effects of SB is limited in young people.

Associations Between Type and Timing of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior With Mental Health in Adolescents and Young Adults.

This cross-sectional study analyzed the association of leisure-time physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB), nonleisure PA and SB, and total PA and SB in different time segments of the day with mental health among Dutch adolescents and young adults. A total of 881 participants aged 16-25years completed an online survey. Mental health was assessed using the Mental Health Inventory-5, and participants also reported sex, age, and income. They filled out a questionnaire of types of PA and SB for each hour of the day. Activities were categorized into nonleisure and leisure, during the morning, afternoon, evening, and for the whole day. Participants (52.8% female, on average 20.8y) generally engaged in more leisure-time PA and SB during weekends compared with weekdays, and more nonleisure activities on weekdays. Associations varied between time segments and days of the week. Positive associations of leisure-time and total PA during the whole day and evenings with mental health were observed on weekdays. Total, leisure-time, and nonleisure-time SB were associated with worse mental health. Nonleisure PA was not associated with mental health. Leisure-time PA was found to have a favorable association with mental health, particularly in the evenings of weekdays and afternoons of weekend days. On the other hand, leisure SB was associated with poorer mental health in most of the time segments analyzed, and nonleisure SB in the evenings was also related to worse mental health. The type and timing of PA and SB behaviors play an important role in the relationship with mental health.

Association of leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior with carotid atherosclerosis morphology: The ARIC carotid-MRI study

ObjectiveWe evaluated the prospective association of midlife leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and sedentary behavior (SB), and their temporal patterns, with MRI-measured carotid atherosclerotic morphology. MethodsParticipants enrolled in the Carotid MRI substudy (2004–2006) of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study and with self-reported assessments of LTPA and SB at visits 1 (1987–1989) and 3 (1993–1995) were included in this study. LTPA was ascertained using the ARIC/Baecke physical activity questionnaire and categorized according to the American Heart Association's metric of poor, intermediate, or ideal physical activity. SB, measured as TV viewing frequency, was categorized as high, medium, and low. We used multivariable adjusted linear and logistic regression models to examine the associations between midlife (visit 3 only) and persistent (visit 1 to 3) LTPA and TV viewing with carotid artery plaque burden and components. ResultsAmong the 1,582 (mean age: 59 years, 43% male, 18% Black) participants, 45.7%, 21.7%, and 32.6% reported ideal, intermediate, or poor LTPA, respectively. High TV viewing was reported in 33.8% of participants, with 46.4% and 19.8% reporting medium or low TV viewing, respectively. Compared to poor LTPA, ideal LTPA in midlife was not associated with total wall volume (ß=0.01, 95% CI: -0.01, 0.03), maximum carotid wall thickness (ß=0.06, 95% CI: -0.08, 0.21), normalized wall index (ß=-0.01, 95% CI: -0.03, 0.01), or maximum stenosis (ß=-0.11, 95% CI: -1.98, 1.76). Low or middle, compared to high, TV viewing was also not associated with carotid artery measures of plaque burden. Compared to poor LTPA or high TV viewing, ideal LTPA (odds ratio (OR): 0.82, 95% CI: 0.55, 1.23) and low TV viewing (OR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.56, 1.44) was not associated with odds of lipid core presence, respectively. ConclusionOverall, this study does not provide strong evidence for an association between LTPA and SB with carotid plaque measures.