The Sitting Generation

The Sitting GenerationYu-Ling Chen, PhD

Physical Activity and Public HealthSchool of Sports, Exercise and Health Science

Photo Credit: The Ping Pong Film

ESRC SeminarPhysical Activity Policy Through the Life Course

Yu-ling [email protected] Activity Policy Through the Life Course-The Sedentary Generation 05/04/17

A quick reflection

• There are 1440 minutes a day, how many minutes do you spend on physical activity? How many on sitting?


Sitting for…


Sedentary Behaviour

Definition“any waking behaviour characterized by a low energy expenditure in a sitting or reclining posture”

Sedentary Behaviour Research Network (SBRN)


Energy expenditure HighLow

SB: Sedentary behaviourPA: Physical Activity

Movement Continuum


Too much prolonged sittingHealth OutcomesSitting requires little muscle input à risk of falls

It also relates to the risks for… • mortality from all-causes• Cardiovascular disease (CVD)• Metabolic syndrome

Thorp,A.A. 2011; Ford and Caspersen, 2012

Independent of BMI and physical activity


Measuring sitting/sedentary time

Self-report questionnaireObjective measures

ActiGraphactivPAL


Prevalence of Sedentary Behaviour

BHF, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STATISTICS 2015

Adults reporting six or more hours of sedentary time on weekdays, by age and gender, England 2012

Average: 8.2 to 11.2 hours per day (60 years old+)

Harvey et al, 2012


• Objective measurement (ActiGraph)

• Self-report questionnaire • 6 month follow-up (2013/2014)• Aged 65+• Potential Correlates: Basic demographics, physical health, functional capacity, psychological health, health-related behaviour

Correlates of Sedentary Behaviour in Community Dwelling Older Adults

Green Gym Horsham


Results:• N=44• Total sedentary time

Total Sedentary Time (Minutes/day)

Baseline Follow-up

Objectivemeasure 1043 1027

Self-report 487 507

Correlates of Sedentary Behaviour in Community Dwelling Older Adults


Results:Basic demographics gender, age, education, marital status,

household status

Physical health no. of medicine taken, chronic disease, functional capacity, self-rate healthcondition

Psychological health stress, depression, isolation, confusion, life satisfaction

Health-related behaviour

BMI, physical activity levels

Correlates of Sedentary Behaviour in Older Adults in Transition


Intervention to reduce sitting time

• Beware of the health risks brought by prolong sitting

• Break up sitting time• Encourage light physical

activity and standing


Active Ageing, Healthy Ageing-UK Policy

6. All older adults should minimise the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for extended periods.


Active Ageing, Healthy Ageing-WHO Europe Policy

WHO Europe Policy:1. prevention of falls2. promotion of physical activity3. vaccination of older people and prevention of infectious disease in health-care

settings;4. public support for informal care giving with a focus on home care, including self-

care;5. building capacity in geriatrics and gerontology among the health and social care

workforce;6. prevention of social isolation and social exclusion;7. strategies to ensure the quality of care for older people, with a focus on dementia

care and palliative care for long-term patients;8. prevention of elder maltreatment.

WHO Europe http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/Life-stages/healthy-ageing/policy

Increasing physical activity levelDecreasing sedentary behaviour time


Summary

• Prevalence of sedentary behaviour in older adults is high

• More understandings of sedentary behaviour in older adults is required

• Active ageing policy in reducing sedentary behaviour/sitting time in more detail is required


Questions?Thank you!

The Sitting Generation

Health & Medicine

Transcript of The Sitting Generation