Sedentarism

Sedentarism refers to a lifestyle characterized by prolonged sedentary behavior and low energy expenditure, often associated with modern occupations and urban living. It is distinct from simply being physically inactive, as a person may meet weekly exercise goals yet still spend most of the day seated.

Prolonged sedentary time is linked with higher risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, certain cancers, and premature mortality. These risks may accumulate even in people who perform regular exercise, suggesting independent health effects of long sitting and inactivity. The mechanisms proposed include unfavorable metabolic changes, reduced insulin sensitivity, adverse lipid metabolism, inflammation, and decreased muscle activity.

Common contexts for sedentary behavior include desk-based work, long car or public transit commutes, and extensive screen time during leisure. Factors such as aging, occupational design, urban infrastructure, and social norms influence sedentary patterns. Behaviors often cluster with other risk factors, such as poor diet and inadequate sleep.

Measurement relies on self-report questionnaires or objective tools like accelerometers. Public guidance emphasizes reducing total sedentary time and interrupting it with short activity breaks, while also meeting weekly physical activity recommendations. For adults, this typically involves combining regular moderate-to-vigorous activity with ongoing reductions in sedentary time.

Interventions span individual strategies, such as standing or walking breaks and active commuting, and broader environmental or policy changes, such as sit-stand desks, encouraging stair use, and urban design that facilitates movement. While evidence supports short-term benefits to metabolic and cardiovascular markers, the long-term effects on mortality and disease risk require further study.