Sedentary Behavior Patterns Research Articles

Five-year Evolution Patterns of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Patients with Lower-limb Osteoarthritis and Their Sociodemographic and Clinical Correlates.

The present study aimed to identify trajectories of physical activity (PA) components (frequency, duration, intensity, and type) and screen-based sedentary behavior (SB) as well as baseline predictors of each trajectory in patients with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis (OA). We included 878 patients with a 5-year follow-up from the KHOALA cohort. PA and SB were measured by the Modifiable Activity Questionnaire. We used group-based trajectory analysis to identify the trajectories of PA components and screen-based SB, and multivariable logistic regression to determine predictors of the identified trajectories. Two groups of trajectories were identified for each PA component and 3 for SB. High and decreasing PA duration was associated with female sex (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.5) as was low and stable, more so than high and decreasing prevalence of weight-bearing activities (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9). Patients with impaired patient-reported outcome measures and obese patients often featured low versus high and decreasing prevalence of weight-bearing activities. Predictors of moderate and high versus low and slightly increasing screen-based SB trajectories were male sex, age < 60 years, single status (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1), obesity (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4-3.1), smoking (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.7), and less physical jobs. Predictors of moderate and high versus low screen-based SB trajectories were all sociodemographic: male sex, age < 60 years, single status, obesity, smoking, and less physical jobs. Sociodemographic and clinical predictors of trajectories vary between PA components; they are associated mainly with PA frequency and type. No clinical characteristics were associated with screen-based SB.

Abstract MP13: Prospective Associations of Prenatal Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Trajectories With Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Background: Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) are risk factors for future cardiovascular disease. Though factors such as obesity increase the risk of APO, whether patterns of prenatal sedentary behavior (SED) or physical activity are associated with APO is unclear. Methods: This cohort study measured objective SED, steps, and moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) during each trimester of pregnancy. Women were instructed to wear two monitors for 7 d: a thigh-mounted activPAL3 micro to measure SED and steps, and an Actigraph GT3X on an elastic waist belt to measure MVPA. Women also completed a detailed wear log. Data were considered valid with ≥4 d of ≥10 hr of wear. Physician-diagnosed APO (gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, or intrauterine growth restriction) were abstracted from medical records by trained research personnel. Growth mixture modelling was used to construct separate SED, steps, and MVPA trajectories across pregnancy. Associations between trajectory groups and APO were evaluated using logistic regression with adjustment for prepregnancy BMI, race, education, and age. Results: Women (n=100) had mean (SD) age 31.2 (4.8) yr, pregnancy BMI 26.2 (6.8) kg/m 2 , and were 25% non-white. Trajectory analyses revealed three groups within each SED, steps, and MVPA (see Table). Nineteen women (19%) had at least one APO: gestational hypertension and/or preeclampsia (n=13), gestational diabetes (n=3), preterm birth (n=6), or intrauterine growth restriction (n=4). High vs. low SED trajectory was associated with more than 6-fold higher odds of APO. Medium and high vs. low steps trajectory was associated with lower odds of APO, but only medium vs. low trajectories were statistically different. MVPA trajectory was not associated with APO risk (see Table). Conclusion: Reducing SED and increasing daily steps, though not increasing MVPA, could be novel intervention targets for reducing APO and future cardiovascular risk in pregnant women.

Patterns of Sedentary Behavior of People Older than 75 Attending Day Care: Association with Quality of Life

ABSTRACT An exploratory study was implemented to characterize the sedentary behavior of people older than 75, attending day care, and study its association with quality-of-life. Sedentary behavior was measured with accelerometer and its patterns characterized with an Activity Diary. Quality-of-life was measured with the WHOQOL. Fifty-four people (84.5 ± 5.4) reported on 378 days. More than 75% of awake time was sedentary, mostly watching TV (53.3%) in the afternoon (48.4%) alone (57.4%). No significant associations with quality-of-life were found. To break sedentary periods, clinical interventions need to focus on this context and day period, inspired in existing routine activities.

Development of WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Sleep for Children Less Than 5 Years of Age.

Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for global mortality and a contributor to the increase in overweight and obesity. The Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity identified the need for guidance on physical activity, particularly for early childhood (<5 y), a period of rapid physical and cognitive development. The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed the first global guidelines on physical activity, sedentary, and sleep behaviors, building upon high-quality systematic reviews. The WHO guideline process is a rigorous, systematic, and transparent method for the development of recommendations, using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Evidence to Decision framework. It takes into consideration the strength of the evidence as well as values and preferences, benefits and harms, equity and human rights. The authors summarize the first global guidelines on time spent in physical activity, sedentary behavior (including screen time and time spent restrained), and sleep patterns in infants (birth to 1y of age), toddlers (1-2.9y of age), and preschoolers (3-4.9y of age). WHO is actively disseminating and supporting implementation of these guidelines by national adoption and adaptation, through links with early childhood development and the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030.

Measuring group and individual relationship between patterns in sedentary behaviour and glucose in type 2 diabetes adults

AbstractThe aim of this study was to explore the relationship between patterns in sedentary behaviour and glucose in adults with type 2 diabetes.Thirty‐seven adults with type 2 diabetes managed with diet and/or anti‐diabetes medication (not insulin) were recruited. Participants wore an activPAL accelerometer and FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitor for continuous measurement of activity and glucose for 24 hours/day for three to 14 days while documenting sleep, food and medication. The relationship between daily patterns of sedentary behaviour and sedentary breaks with glucose was investigated using correlation analysis. Regression analysis was used to investigate these relationships at an individual level.Participants (mean age 62.8±10.5 years, BMI 29.6±6.8kg/m2) spent 64% of their day sedentary, 44.7% of sedentary bouts were 30–60 minutes in duration and mean bout duration was 47.2 minutes. No association between mean glucose and sedentary proportion (total sedentary time) was identified. Mean glucose and glucose standard deviation were positively correlated with sedentary bout duration (both p&lt;0.05). Individual regression analysis showed increased sedentary time is associated with increased mean glucose in 25 (68%) of the participants, with a negative association being shown in 12 (32%) of the participants.In analysis of the whole group, sedentary bout duration but not sedentary proportion was associated with mean glucose and glucose variability. Individual regression analysis identified a different relationship pattern for the majority of participants. This is the first study to identify an individualised response to activity behaviour and highlights the importance of conducting individual analysis when using continuous measurement methods.

Association of sedentary behaviour patterns with dietary and lifestyle habits among public school teachers: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo analyse the association of sedentary behaviour patterns with dietary and lifestyle habits among public school teachers.DesignCross-sectional study.ParticipantsA sample of 245 teachers (186 women and 59 men) with mean age...

Longitudinal Changes in Children's Accelerometer-derived Activity Pattern Metrics.

The objective of this study was to quantify age-related changes in accelerometer-derived day-level physical activity and sedentary behavior pattern metrics (i.e., number, length, and temporal dispersion of bouts and breaks) across 3 yr of middle childhood. Differences by child sex and weekend versus weekday were examined. Children (N = 169, 54% female, 56% Hispanic; 8-12 yr old at enrollment) participated in a longitudinal study with six assessments across 3 yr. Day-level moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA; i.e., total minutes, number of short (<10 min) bouts, proportion of long (≥20 min) bouts, temporal dispersion) and sedentary behavior (i.e., total minutes, number of breaks, proportion of long (≥60 min) bouts, temporal dispersion) pattern metrics were measured using a waist-worn accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X). Random intercept multilevel linear regression models showed that age-related decreases in the number of short MVPA bouts per were steeper for girls than for boys (b = -1.28; 95% confidence interval (CI), -1.93 to -0.64; P < 0.01) and on weekend days than on weekdays (b = -1.82; 95% CI, -2.36 to -1.29; P < 0.01). The evenness of the temporal dispersion of MVPA across the day increased more on weekend days than on weekdays as children got older (b = -0.02; 95% CI, -0.02 to -0.01; P < 0.01). Girls had steeper age-related decreases in the number of sedentary breaks per day (b = -2.89; 95% CI, -3.97 to -1.73; P < 0.01) and the evenness of the temporal dispersion of sedentary behavior across the day (b ≤ 0.01; 95% CI, <0.01 to 0.01; P < 0.01) than did boys. Changes in sedentary behavior metrics did not differ between weekend days and weekdays. Strategies to protect against declines in short physical activity bouts and promote sedentary breaks, especially among girls and on weekend days, could reduce cardiometabolic risks.

The importance of physical function as a clinical outcome: Assessment and enhancement.

The burgeoning population of older adults is intrinsically prone to cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a context of multimorbidity and geriatric syndromes. Risks include high susceptibility to functional decline, with many older adults tipping towards patterns of sedentary behavior and to downstream effects of frailty, falls, disability, poor quality of life, as well as increased morbidity and mortality even if the incident CVD was treated perfectly. While physical activity has been shown to moderate these patterns both as primary or secondary preventive medical care, the majority of older adults fail to meet physical activity recommendations. Clinicians of all specialities, including CVD medicine, can benefit from greater proficiency in functional assessments for their older adults, as well as from insights how to initiate effective functional enhancing approaches even in older adults who may be frail, deconditioned, and medically complex. Pertinent functional assessments include traditional cardiovascular metrics of cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as strength and balance. This review summarizes the components of a wide‐ranging functional assessment that can be used to enhance care for older adults with CVD, as well as interventions to improve physical function.

The sedentary behaviour and physical activity patterns of survivors of a critical illness over their acute hospitalisation: An observational study

BackgroundPhysical function is often poor in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors, yet objective descriptions of sedentary behaviour and physical activity during acute hospitalisation are lacking. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine sedentary and activity patterns during patients' hospital-based recovery from a critical illness and associations with physical function, muscle strength, and length of stay (LOS). MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study in a tertiary ICU and acute hospital wards, which recruited 40 adults who required ≥5 days of mechanical ventilation. Data were collected at awakening (T1), ICU discharge (T2), and hospital discharge (T3), which included monitoring of body posture (sedentary behaviour) using the activPAL and activity intensity using the GENEActiv. Data were reported as time spent lying/sitting and upright, with the number of sit-to-stand transitions and upright bouts. Statistical analysis was conducted using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Spearman's rho. ResultsFrom awakening to hospital discharge (T1–T3, n = 23), there was a mean [95% confidence interval] decrease in % time spent lying/sitting (−3.0% [-4.6% to1.4%], p ≤ 0.001) corresponding to increased time spent upright (43.0 min [19.9, 66.1], p ≤ 0.001). Sit-to-stand transitions increased (18 [11, 28], p ≤ 0.001). The number of upright bouts ≥2 and ≥ 5 min increased (both p ≤ 0.001), but only from ICU to hospital discharge (T2-T3, 5.3 [3.1, 7.6] and 2.3 [0.9, 3.8] respectively). At ICU discharge (T2), less % of time spent lying/sitting, more minutes spent upright, and more transitions were associated with better physical function (Physical Function in Intensive Care Test-scored and de Morton Mobility Index; all rho ≥+/−0.730, p ≤ 0.001) and muscle strength (hand grip, Medical Research Council sum-score; all rho≥+/−0.505, p ≤ 0.001). There were no associations between accelerometry and hospital LOS. ConclusionsICU survivors' transition from highly sedentary behaviour to low intensity activity over their acute hospitalisation. Sedentary breaks may be not spread over the day such that modifying sedentary behaviour to break up prolonged lying/sitting may be a focus for future research. Clinical trial registrationNCT02881801

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior at the End of the Human Lifespan.

To objectively assess physical activity levels and sedentary behavior in a cohort of Spanish centenarians and their nonagenarian peers. Physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns were objectively measured by an ActiGraph GT3X accelerometer in centenarians (n = 18; 83% women; 100.8 ± 0.8 [100-103] years) and nonagenarians (n = 11; 91% women; 93.3 ± 2.5 [90-98] years). Centenarians showed less counts per minute (17.6 ± 7.1 vs. 46.1 ± 23.7, p = .003, d = 1.851) and steps per day (455 ± 237 vs. 1,249 ± 776, p = .007, d = 1.587) than nonagenarians. The daily number of sedentary breaks was also lower in the former (5.0 ± 1.5 vs. 6.7 ± 2.0, p = .019, d = 0.971). When observing time distribution, the most active day period in both groups was the morning, with a peak between 10:00 and 11:59. This data suggest that the decline in physical activity levels continues to worsen until the end of the human lifespan.

Impact of sedentary behavior on large artery structure and function in children and adolescents: a systematic review.

Sedentary behavior contributes to increased atherosclerotic risk in adults. Whether or not this can be extended to pediatric populations is unclear. This systematic review assessed associations of sedentary behavior with large artery structure and function in pediatric populations. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science were searched from the earliest available date to 31st of December 2018. Analyses of associations of sedentary behavior with large artery structure or function in a pediatric (sub-)population were included, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines. The protocol was published in advance on PROSPERO (CRD42018112996). Study quality and quality of evidence were analyzed using NHLBI Study Quality assessment tools and GRADE. Six observational studies found no association of exposure and outcome variables, and one had contradicting results. One intervention found reduced flow-mediated dilation after 3 h of uninterrupted sitting. Exposure and outcome measures were highly heterogeneous. Study quality was low to moderate. Quality of evidence was very low or low in the observational studies and high in the intervention.Conclusion: In pediatric populations, current evidence is limited and of low quality about how acute effects of sedentary behavior translate into early vascular aging and the long-term development of vascular dysfunction and atherosclerotic risk. Future studies should emphasize a careful choice of the adequate type and measurement site of a biomarker for large artery structure and function as well as conduct a detailed assessment of sedentary behavior patterns.Trial registration: PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42018112996What is known: • An independent association of sedentary behavior and biomarkers of large artery structure and function has been demonstrated in adults. • In children, sedentary behavior is directly associated with classical cardiovascular risk factors like elevated blood glucose levels, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, obesity, and elevated blood lipids.What is new: • Currently, only few studies of low quality in children and adolescents provide limited evidence about how acute effects of sedentary behavior translate into early vascular aging and the long-term development of atherosclerosis. • The type and measurement site of vascular biomarker need to be chosen carefully, and a detailed assessment of sedentary behavior patterns is important to minimize the methodological bias.

Impact of free-living pattern of sedentary behaviour on intra-day glucose regulation in type 2 diabetes

PurposeTo investigate how the pattern of sedentary behaviour affects intra-day glucose regulation in type 2 diabetes.MethodsThis intensive longitudinal study was conducted in 37 participants with type 2 diabetes (age, 62.8 ± 10.5 years). Glucose and sedentary behaviour/physical activity were assessed with a continuous glucose monitoring (Abbott FreeStyle Libre) and an activity monitor (activPAL3) for 14 days. Multiple regression models with generalised estimating equations (GEEs) approach were used to assess the associations of sedentary time and breaks in sedentary time with pre-breakfast glucose, pre-lunch glucose, pre-dinner glucose, post-breakfast glucose, post-lunch glucose, post-dinner glucose, bedtime glucose, the dawn phenomenon, time in target glucose range (TIR, glucose 3.9–10 mmol/L) and time above target glucose range (TAR, glucose > 10 mmol/L).ResultsSedentary time was associated with higher pre-breakfast glucose (p = 0.001), pre-dinner glucose (p < 0.001), post-lunch glucose (p = 0.005), post-dinner glucose (p = 0.013) and the dawn phenomenon (p < 0.001). Breaks in sedentary time were associated with lower pre-breakfast glucose (p = 0.023), pre-dinner glucose (p = 0.023), post-breakfast glucose (p < 0.001) and the dawn phenomenon (p = 0.004). The association between sedentary time and less TIR (p = 0.022) and the association between breaks in sedentary time and more TIR (p = 0.001) were also observed.ConclusionsReducing sedentary time and promoting breaks in sedentary time could be clinically relevant to improve intra-day glucose regulation in type 2 diabetes.

Sex-differences in relation to the association between patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior with frailty

ObjectiveTo investigate the sex-difference in relation to the association between moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time (ST) patterns with frailty. MethodAccelerometry from ≥50 year olds from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003-04/2005-06 cycles) were included. Bouted and sporadic MVPA were defined as MVPA in ≥10 min or <10 min durations, respectively. MVPA was analyzed based on meeting 0 %, 1–49 %, 50–99 %, and ≥100 % of the physical activity guidelines of 150 min/week. A duration of ≥30 minutes defined prolonged ST. The frequency (≥1 min interruption in ST), intensity and duration of breaks from ST were calculated. A 46-item frailty index (FI) quantified frailty. Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for demographics, total sedentary time, and accelerometer wear time. ResultsThere were 1143 females and 1174 males available for analysis. Bouted MVPA was associated with lower frailty levels; the association peaked at meeting 50–99 % of the guidelines in females and ≥1.0 % in males (p = NS for sex-interaction). Meeting a higher proportion of the guidelines through sporadic MVPA was significantly associated with a lower FI in males only (p = NS for sex-interaction). Prolonged ST bouts were associated with worse frailty in females but not males (p < 0.05 sex-interaction). Average break intensity was associated with a lower FI in both sexes, whereas, total sedentary breaks were not (p = NS for sex-interaction). Average break duration was associated with frailty in males (p = NS for sex-interaction). ConclusionProlonged ST was more detrimentally associated with frailty in females than males, which could influence tailored movement prescriptions and guidelines.

The trajectory of patterns of light and sedentary physical activity among females, ages 14-23.

PurposeLight physical activity (LPA) and patterns of sedentary behavior influence cardio-metabolic health independently of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Understanding the trajectory and determinants of these activity levels over time may provide insights relevant to public health practice.MethodsWe measured a cohort of young women recruited in middle school (age 14) using accelerometry for 1 week and remeasured them in high school (age 17) and again at age 23 (n = 385). We assessed changes in LPA and patterns of sedentary behavior by hours in a day. We examined the association of social and contextual factors, including employment status, screen time, and neighborhood context with LPA and sedentary behavior patterns.ResultsThe amount of LPA decreased over time, while the length of LPA bouts tended to increase. Sedentary bout durations increased over time and sedentary breaks decreased. Sedentary time and bout length were correlated with internet use, rather than with TV or videogaming. Employment was associated with less sedentary time; being a student was associated with longer sedentary time and bouts.ConclusionsBecause LPA and sedentary breaks can be protective for cardio-metabolic health, and the duration of sedentary bouts increase as women age from adolescence to young adulthood, worksites and college campuses should remind employees and students to take frequent activity breaks when they use computers and the internet for long stretches.

Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Patterns in Taiwanese Adolescents.

Levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior among adolescents seem to vary within different settings, but few Asian studies have compared physical activity and sedentary activity patterns in adolescents across weekdays/weekends and during-school time/after-school time. This study aimed to provide objectively measured data describing intensity-specific physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns in Taiwanese adolescents. The results were sorted by gender and divided between weekdays/weekends and during-school time/after-school time. A total of 470 Taiwanese students (49.6% boys, ages 12–15 y) were recruited and fitted with GT3X+ accelerometers for seven days. Intensity-specific physical activity, total sedentary time, and sedentary bouts (number and duration ≥30 min) were measured. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine the significant differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns between the genders on weekdays/weekends and during school/after-school time. The results show that the adolescents’ overall activity levels were below recommended thresholds, with girls engaging in significantly less moderate to vigorous physical activity, having longer sedentary time, longer time spent in sedentary bouts, and more frequent sedentary bouts than boys. Similar results were observed in physical activities of each intensity as well as sedentary behavior variables, both on weekdays/weekends and during-school/after-school periods. These findings emphasize the importance of developing and implementing approaches to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity, as well as decrease prolonged sedentary time and long sedentary bouts, especially for Taiwanese girls.

Validity of sitting time scores from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form in multiple sclerosis.

The current study examined the validity of scores from the sitting time item on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) in a sample of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Persons with MS were recruited through the distribution of printed letters to a random sample of 1,000 persons from the North American Research Committee on MS registry. Two hundred ninety-five persons with MS were interested and volunteered to wear an ActiGraph accelerometer for a 7-day period and complete a battery of questionnaires that included the IPAQ-SF and Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire over this period of time. IPAQ-SF sitting time scores were consistently and moderately correlated with all of the sedentary behavior metrics from the accelerometer (range of r between .295 and .431), and the correlations were stronger than those between self-reported physical activity and sedentary metrics from the accelerometer (range of r between -.087 and .163). The correlations between IPAQ-SF sitting time scores with the accelerometer-derived sedentary behavior metrics were still statistically significant in the analyses controlling for physical activity (range of parametric correlations between .281 and .411). The correlation analysis indicated consistent, moderate correlations between IPAQ-SF sitting time scores and device-measured estimates of both the volume and pattern of sedentary behavior, and the correlations were (a) stronger than those for self-reported physical activity and (b) independent of self-reported physical activity. Such results provide initial evidence for the validity of inferences from IPAQ-SF sitting time scores as an overall measure of sedentary behavior in persons with MS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

&lt;p&gt;Combined Patterns Of Physical Activity And Screen-Related Sedentary Behavior Among Chinese Adolescents And Their Correlations With Depression, Anxiety And Self-Injurious Behaviors&lt;/p&gt;

Background and purposeThere are increasing concern about independent associations between physical activity, screen-based sedentary behavior (SSB), and psychological problems, but only a few studies have attempted to explore combined patterns of physical activity and SSB in adolescents and their correlations with psychological problems. This study was aimed at identifying combined patterns of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and SSB and examining the prevalence of different combined patterns and their correlations with depression, anxiety, and self-injurious behavior among Chinese adolescents.MethodsJunior and senior high school students (N = 13,659; mean age 15.18±1.89) were recruited. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify combined patterns of MVPA and SSB. Associations between subgroups of MVPA and SSB and socio-demographic characteristics were assessed by logistic regression. Their correlation with depression, anxiety, and self-injurious behaviors was assessed by analysis of variance with analysis stratified by gender.ResultsFour latent classes were identified: high MVPA/low SSB group (64.7%), low MVPA/low SSB (26.7%), low MVPA/high SSB (4.8%), and low MVPA/moderate SSB (3.9%). Generally, the high MVPA/low SSB class was a relatively healthy group. The low MVPA/high SSB class was at risk of enduring depression, anxiety, and self-injurious behavior, with boys being more at risk than girls.ConclusionFour latent subgroups of MVPA and SSB were identified in Chinese adolescents. The findings highlight the potential role of concurrent MVPA and SSB, with gender-specific characteristics in the primary prevention of adolescent depression, anxiety, and self-injurious behaviors.

Socio-demographic patterning of objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behaviours in eight Latin American countries: Findings from the ELANS study

ABSTRACT Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours (SB) are two independent risk factors for non-communicable diseases. However, there is a lack of objectively measured information on PA and SB in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to use objective data to characterise socio-demographic patterns of PA and SB in eight Latin American countries. 2732 participants (aged 15–65 years) from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS) were included. PA and SB data were collected using accelerometers. Overall and country-specific average levels of time spent in PA and SB were compared by sex, age, socioeconomic and education level. Overall, the mean time spent in SB was 571.6 min/day, ranging from 553.8 min/day in Chile to 596.7 min/day in Peru. Average levels of light, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total PA were 311.1 min/day (95% CI: 307.7; 314.5), 34.9 min/day (95% CI: 34.0; 35.9) and 7531.2 MET-min/week (95% CI: 7450.4; 7611.9), respectively. MVPA and total PA were higher in men than women. The prevalence of physical inactivity was 40.6%, ranging from 26.9% (Chile) to 47% (Costa Rica and Venezuela). Women were more physically inactive than men (47.7% versus 33.0%). SB levels were highest among those with higher education; PA graded positively with socioeconomic level. Our findings can inform the planning of health policies and programmes designed to reduce levels of physical inactivity, as well as inform the local and cultural adaptation of these policies and programmes for implementation in Latin America. Highlights Worldwide studies of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours (SB) have historically under-represented Latin American countries due to the lack of surveillance data. Across eight Latin American countries, the ELANS study collected data on PA and SB using an objective method (accelerometers) which we have analysed to quantify and characterise socio-demographic patterns. Over four-in-ten participants were physically inactive (40.6%); with a gender gap (47.7% women; 33.0% men); and striking differences between countries (47% Costa Rica and Venezuela; 26.9% Chile). In all countries, levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were lowest, and levels of SB were highest, among participants in the higher education groups. Our findings on the unequal distribution of PA and SB increases the evidence base and can help to inform future intervention strategies in Latin America.

Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and restless legs syndrome in persons with multiple sclerosis

The present study examined the relationships among parameters (i.e., volume and pattern) of physical activity and sedentary behavior with the presence and severity of restless legs syndrome(RLS) in adults with multiple sclerosis(MS). Participants with MS (N = 253) wore an accelerometer for a 7-day period and completed the Cambridge-Hopkins Restless Legs Syndrome Questionnaire, the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Scale (IRLS), and the Patient Determined Disease Steps scale. Sixty-six (26%) persons with MS had RLS (MS + RLS). There were no differences between the MS + RLS and MS group for parameters of physical activity or sedentary behavior. Among participants with IRLS scores in the mild range (n = 26), more time spent in light physical activity (rs = 0.39), fewer sedentary bouts per day (rs = 0.55), less time in sedentary bouts per day (rs = 0.51), and fewer breaks in sedentary time per day (rs = 0.57) were associated with lower RLS severity. This study represents the first step toward recognizing a relationship between physical activity, patterns of sedentary behavior, and RLS severity in MS and these results suggest that light physical activity and the pattern of sedentary behavior may be important targets for prospective behavioral interventions that target the management of RLS in persons with MS who have mild RLS severity.

Patterns of Objectively and Self-Reported Sedentary Behavior in Children and Adolescents Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: The PositHIVe Health Study.

Sedentary behavior (SB) has been shown to be associated with unhealthy outcomes in children, and it is not clear whether children living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) engage in different patterns of SB compared with healthy children. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare patterns of SB between children living with HIV and a healthy control group. A group of children with HIV and a paired control group wore accelerometers for 1 week and answered a questionnaire with items related to television viewing habits and computer usage. Accelerometer-derived and self-reported SB were compared between children living with HIV and controls and between treatment-based and viral load subgroups. A total of 130 children (of which 53% are girls with a mean age of 12.1y) participated in the study with 65 in each group. Children in the control group exhibited significantly more objectively measured SB daily when compared with the HIV group (515 vs 490min/d, respectively), but no differences were found between the treatment-based and viral load subgroups. Children with HIV watched more television on weekdays, compared with the control group (P < .05). No other differences were found in comparisons of self-reported SB between the control and HIV and the treatment-based or viral load subgroups. Children living with HIV spend less time being sedentary than those in the healthy control group. Future studies are important for clarifying the causes and consequences of these differences.