Associations of Sitting Behavior Patterns With Cardiometabolic Risk in Children: The Sit Less for Health Cross-Sectional Study
in Journal of Physical Activity and HealthClick name to view affiliation
Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between sedentary behavior patterns and cardiometabolic risk in children using a monitor that accurately distinguishes between different postures. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 118 children (67 girls) aged 11–12 years had adiposity, blood pressure, lipids, and glucose measured, and then they wore an activPAL device to record sitting, standing, and stepping for 7 consecutive days. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders and moderate to vigorous physical activity, the number of breaks in sitting was significantly negatively associated with adiposity (standardized β ≥ −0.546; P ≤ .001) and significantly positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = 0.415; P ≤ .01). Time in prolonged sitting bouts was significantly negatively associated with adiposity (β ≥ −0.577; P ≤ .001) and significantly positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = 0.432; P ≤ .05). Standing time was significantly negatively associated with adiposity (β ≥ −0.270; P ≤ .05) and significantly positively associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (β = 0.312; P ≤ .05). Conclusions: This study suggests that increasing the number of breaks in sitting and increasing standing time are beneficially associated with cardiometabolic risk and should be considered in health promotion interventions in children.
Stockwell, Smith, Weaver, Hankins, and Bailey are with the School of Sport Science and Physical Activity, Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research, University of Bedfordshire, Polhill Avenue, Bedford, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom. Stockwell is with the Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom; and the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom.
© 2023 Human Kinetics