Sedentary Lifestyle

Definition

A sedentary lifestyle involves a lot of sitting or lying down with little to no exercise, which can lead to various health concerns over time.

Scientific / Technical Definition

A sedentary lifestyle is characterized by low levels of physical activity and high amounts of time spent in an inactive state, such as sitting or lying down, excluding sleep. It is often quantified as obtaining fewer than 1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs) of expenditure during most activities.

Benefits

• While a sedentary lifestyle itself has no health benefits, recognizing and addressing it can lead to improved awareness and motivation to increase physical activity, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

Examples

• Office work that involves prolonged sitting
• Watching television for extended periods
• Driving or traveling long distances without breaks for physical activity

Additional Information

• effects: A sedentary lifestyle can lead to numerous health issues, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and worsening of mental health conditions.

Related Terms

• Total Daily Energy Expenditure
• Physical Activity Level
• Basal Metabolic Rate
• Energy Balance
• Physical Inactivity

References

• Sedentary Behavior and Health: Update from the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Health Implications, Costs and Current Guidelines