Determinants of engaging in sedentary behavior across the lifespan; lessons learned from two reviews conducted within DEDIPAC

As part of the Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity (DEDIPAC) joint action of the European Healthy Diet for a Health Life initiative, we conduct a series of reviews on determinants of dietary behaviours, physical activity and sedentary behaviour. In the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity recently two reviews were published on potential determinants of sedentary behaviour; one on older adults and one on youth.
Older adults are the most sedentary of all age groups and high sedentary time is associated with poor health and wellbeing. Identifying determinants of sedentary behaviour is a necessary step to develop interventions to reduce sedentary time. In the paper just published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, we report on a systematic literature review to identify factors associated with sedentary behaviour in older adults. Twenty-two original studies were identified. Personal factors were the most frequently investigated. Higher age, obesity, retirement, and lower health status were consistently associated with more sedentary time.

In the same journal a second systematic review was published on potential determinants of sedentary behaviour in youth. Together with Prof. Mai Chin A Paw I wrote a short commentary paper on both reviews that was also published in the journal.  we concluded that in both reviews, the included studies were predominantly conducted in Europe, the US, and Australia. Most studies were limited to TV or ‘screen’ time rather than sedentary behavior and relied on self-report. In both age groups there is a lack of qualitative studies as well as studies looking into the more motivational and contextual potential determinants of sedentary behavior. Both reviews indicate that to date there is limited evidence on the determinants of sedentary behaviour in youth and older adults. In youth, age and weight status were identified as determinants of sedentary behavior, with more sedentary time among older and heavier kids. In adults, age and retirement were determinants, with older and retired elderly sitting more.