Limitations in physical function contribute to an increased risk of falls, permanent disability, and increased health care costs. Several studies have used physical activity to monitor improvements and decline in physical functioning. However, limited data exist that have examined the association between sedentary behavior and physical functioning. The purpose of this study was to characterize the association between self-reported sedentary time and levels of physical functioning in a nationally representative sample of US adults and to determine whether these associations differ by sociodemographic characteristics, long term health problems and weight status.
Method:
Data were obtained from the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). A total of 2782 adults (1337 males, 1445 females) aged 20 years and older who completed anthropometric measurements and questionnaires pertaining to physical functioning, sedentary behavior, and sociodemographics were included in the study.
Analysis/Results:
SAS SURVEYREG procedure (v 9.3) was used to assess the relationship between sedentary time and functional limitations after adjusting for sociodemographics, long term problems, and weight status. Adults reported 353.9 ± 6.9 (Mean ± SEM) minutes per day of sedentary activities such as sitting and reclining (excluding sleep). The average physical functioning score was 25.3 ± 0.2. Self-reported sedentary time (p < 0.0001), gender (p < 0.0001), age groups (p = 0.0002), income levels (p < 0.0001), long term health problem condition (p < 0.0001), and weight categories (p = 0.038) were significant predictors of physical functioning scores. Greater sedentary time was associated with greater limitations in physical functioning after adjusting for all covariates (p < 0.0001). Females, respondents who were obese, those who were at the age of 40 to 59 years old or who were in low and middle income groups, and those who reported having one or more long term health problems had significantly greater functional limitations when compared with males, healthy and overweight respondents, respondents who were younger than 40 years and those who were 60 years or older, those who were in high income group, and those didn’t have a long term health problem.
Conclusions:
Increased sedentary time is associated with lower levels of physical function. Culturally tailored sedentary behavior interventions targeted toward low-income, middle age, and obese, and females may help to curb declines in functional status. Further investigation is needed to examine if sedentary time can be used to monitor or intervene on decline in physical function among at risk populations.