Sedentary Behaviour Epidemiology

This book addresses the origins, determinants and magnitude of the global problem of sedentary behaviour, along with concise yet in-depth solutions for tackling it. As a consequence of major technological advances in modern society, many people find themselves in environments characterized by prolonged sedentary behaviour. Building on the contributions of leading experts in the field, the new edition of this book presents updated knowledge about sedentary behaviour, its medical and public health significance, its correlates and determinants, measurement techniques, and recommendations for addressing this behaviour at the individual, community, environmental, and policy level. The book encompasses current research linking the COVID-19 pandemic to increased levels of sedentary behavior, and it covers global and planetary health aspects of sedentary behavior, highlighting sustainable development goals such as health and well-being for all. Applying a cross-disciplinary methodology, the book avoids considering physical activity and sedentary behavior as a single continuum, which potentially hampers progress in confronting widespread levels of sedentariness. Rather, the book helps readers better understand how sedentary and physically active behavior co-occur and how the two behaviours have distinct contributing factors. Building on the contributions of distinguished international experts in the field, this thorough resource is a valuable asset and challenges professionals, researchers, students, and practitioners alike to adopt new strategies and expand their reach.

Nowadays, the increasing availability of technology and the transition towards more sedentary occupations and recreation activities make sedentary behaviours an emerging research topic in behavioural epidemiology. This is particularly important because the available evidence consolidates the harmful relationship between sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic risk markers and health outcomes. While the feasibility and benefits of changing sedentary behaviours have been demonstrated, this knowledge underpins the need for intersectoral public health interventions in workplaces and school settings. This book examines sedentary behaviours, current methods of assessment, the risk these behaviours present to individual health, and the importance of their interruption.

Sedentary behaviour – too much sitting as distinct from too little physical activity – is now recognised as an independent risk factor for several health outcomes and premature mortality. This is problematic as technological advancements in transportation, communications, workplaces, and domestic entertainment has created environments that encourage engagement in sedentary behaviour. Evidence from observational epidemiology shows that prolonged sitting is associated with increased risk of disease and adverse risk marker levels including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, some cancers, obesity, glucose tolerance, and lipids. Importantly, the associations between prolonged sitting and these health markers are independent of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Intriguingly, observational studies employing objective measures of sedentary time patterns using accelerometry have shown that adults who interrupt their sedentary time more frequently (breaks in sedentary time) have improved cardiometabolic profiles than those whose sedentary time is mostly uninterrupted. These beneficial associations are independent of total sedentary time and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. In light of this evidence, experimental studies are now being conducted to identify novel mechanisms and potential causal relationships. It has been suggested that loss of muscular contractile stimulation induced through sitting impairs skeletal muscle metabolism of lipids and glucose and that the molecular processes through which these responses occur may be separate from the pathways activated when engaging in exercise. This Research Topic aims to bring together contributions from researchers to advance the sedentary behaviour research agenda and strengthen the case for reducing and breaking up sitting time in primary prevention and disease management contexts.

From office jobs and long commutes to passive entertainment like television and video games, humans are sitting more than ever. Though lack of exercise has major health consequences, researchers are now examining the additional and widespread health risk of the simple act of sitting for extended periods. With research from leading scientists, Sedentary Behavior and Health: Concepts, Assessments, and Interventions presents evidence on sedentary behavior, its apparent health risks, and suggestions on measuring and altering this behavior. The highly respected international author team provides an interdisciplinary review of current research, examining scientific, public health, and broader social questions about the implications of sedentary behavior. These topics include humans’ physiological predispositions, exacerbation of current health conditions like obesity and diabetes, and the design and ergonomics of offices and chairs. To examine the many facets of this developing area of study, Sedentary Behavior and Health is divided into five parts: • “Sedentary Behavior Concepts and Context” reviews the physiology of sedentary behavior, investigating current habits from the perspectives of evolution, industrial engineering, and design. • “Sedentary Behavior and Health” explores the relationship between sedentary behavior and several major chronic diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, and low-back pain. • “Measuring and Analyzing Sedentary Behavior” explains research methods for understanding and measuring sedentary behavior in order to recognize patterns and design interventions. • “Sedentary Behavior and Subpopulations” covers issues, risks, and behaviors in groups such as children, working adults, older adults, and minorities. • “Changing Sedentary Behavior” provides methods and recommendations for improvement with environmental, social, community, worksite, and technology-based interventions. Included in this groundbreaking text are learning objectives, key concepts, and study questions to focus attention on key issues and reinforce concepts. Reviews of the literature in the field are presented, many with comparisons in table form, to provide the full scope of research. Sidebars throughout the text apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. Inactivity is mismatched with many aspects of humans’ genetic makeup. While it is becoming the new norm, the consequences of this behavior are emerging as a public health threat. Sedentary Behavior and Health will serve as a key reference for the rapidly emerging research area of sedentary behavior.

Sedentary behaviour - too much sitting as distinct from too little physical activity - is now recognised as an independent risk factor for several health outcomes and premature mortality. This is problematic as technological advancements in transportation, communications, workplaces, and domestic entertainment has created environments that encourage engagement in sedentary behaviour. Evidence from observational epidemiology shows that prolonged sitting is associated with increased risk of disease and adverse risk marker levels including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, some cancers, obesity, glucose tolerance, and lipids. Importantly, the associations between prolonged sitting and these health markers are independent of time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Intriguingly, observational studies employing objective measures of sedentary time patterns using accelerometry have shown that adults who interrupt their sedentary time more frequently (breaks in sedentary time) have improved cardiometabolic profiles than those whose sedentary time is mostly uninterrupted. These beneficial associations are independent of total sedentary time and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. In light of this evidence, experimental studies are now being conducted to identify novel mechanisms and potential causal relationships. It has been suggested that loss of muscular contractile stimulation induced through sitting impairs skeletal muscle metabolism of lipids and glucose and that the molecular processes through which these responses occur may be separate from the pathways activated when engaging in exercise. This Research Topic aims to bring together contributions from researchers to advance the sedentary behaviour research agenda and strengthen the case for reducing and breaking up sitting time in primary prevention and disease management contexts.

Sedentary behaviours include activities at the lowest spectrum of energy expenditure such as lying down, sitting, watching television, using the computer and other media and screen-based past times. A habitual sedentary lifestyle has been associated with different health problems. This important book gathers current research from across the globe in the study and prevalence of physical inactivity, and evaluates the numerous health risks associated with sedentary behaviour. Some topics discussed herein include how a sedentary lifestyle can impact cognitive ability adversely; sedentary behaviours and cardiovascular risk factors for children and adolescents; childhood obesity prevention and management; exercise training; and the effects of sedentary behaviour on mood and insulin sensitivity.

Physical activity remains a critical area of research as we consider cost-effective measures for lowering the chronic disease epidemic worldwide. In our increasingly automated society, many adults and children are not active at health-enhancing levels. In Physical Activity and Public Health Practice, a panel of respected researchers summarizes esse

Physical Activity Epidemiology, Second Edition, provides a comprehensive discussion of current population-level studies showing the influence of physical activity on disease. Updated with extensive new research collected in the eight years since the previous edition, the second edition adds the expertise of respected epidemiologist I-Min Lee. To assist readers in understanding the public health significance of physical activity, Dishman, Heath, and Lee present a detailed review of research findings and what those findings suggest regarding the relationship between physical activity and a variety of health risks. The second edition of this groundbreaking text has been exhaustively updated to reflect the wealth of new research published in this fast-moving field of study. With more than 100 pages of additional content, the text also offers more detailed coverage of all-cause and coronary heart disease mortality, expanded coverage of pathophysiology and biological plausibility, new information on physical activity among various racial–ethnic populations, and the effects of physical activity on cognitive function, dementia, and HIV/AIDS. More than 250 tables and figures, twice the number found in the previous edition, highlight the latest epidemiological information in an easy-to-understand visual format. Physical Activity Epidemiology, Second Edition, assists readers in understanding how leisure-time physical activity can enhance people’s quantity and quality of life by summarizing the available knowledge, detailing the methods used to obtain it, considering its implications for public health, and outlining the important questions that remain. Readers will find comprehensive discussion of these topics: • Evidence that physical activity protects against the development of coronary heart disease and stroke and premature death from all causes • Population-based studies and clinical experiments providing evidence that physical activity and exercise play a role in the primary and secondary prevention of mild hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity • Contemporary epidemiologic evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis and protects against the development of breast and colon cancers, some inflammatory diseases, depression, and anxiety disorders • Considerations in the promotion of a safe, physically active lifestyle among all segments of the population Physical Activity Epidemiology, Second Edition, will engage and challenge students by examining the state of current research in all of its variation and even ambiguity. The text details the methodology and findings of classic and contemporary studies and then helps students begin to analyze the results. Special Strength of the Evidence sections found at the end of most chapters summarize the findings to determine the extent to which correlation and causation can be proven. Chapter objectives, chapter summaries, and sidebars in each chapter assist students in focusing on the key points of study, and an extensive glossary with detailed definitions provides a handy reference for review. Instructors will find a new image bank in this edition to enhance their class lecture materials. Physical Activity Epidemiology, Second Edition, offers students, sport and exercise scientists, health and fitness professionals, and public health administrators a comprehensive presentation of significant studies, how these studies contribute to understanding the relationship between activity and disease prevention, and how this information can be used in leading individuals, communities, and global society toward increased health and longevity.