Sedentary behaviour and cardiovascular disease: a review of prospective studies.
BACKGROUND
Current estimates from objective accelerometer data suggest that American adults are sedentary for ∼7.7 h/day. Historically, sedentary behaviour was conceptualized as one end of the physical activity spectrum but is increasingly being viewed as a behaviour distinct from physical activity.


METHODS
Prospective studies examining the associations between screen time (watching television, watching videos and using a computer) and sitting time and fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease (CVD) were identified. These prospective studies relied on self-reported sedentary behaviour.


RESULTS
The majority of prospective studies of screen time and sitting time has shown that greater sedentary time is associated with an increased risk of fatal and non-fatal CVD. Compared with the lowest levels of sedentary time, risk estimates ranged up to 1.68 for the highest level of sitting time and 2.25 for the highest level of screen time after adjustment for a series of covariates, including measures of physical activity. For six studies of screen time and CVD, the summary hazard ratio per 2-h increase was 1.17 (95% CI: 1.13-1.20). For two studies of sitting time, the summary hazard ratio per 2-h increase was 1.05 (95% CI: 1.01-1.09).


CONCLUSIONS
Future prospective studies using more objective measures of sedentary behaviour might prove helpful in quantifying better the risk between sedentary behaviour and CVD morbidity and mortality. This budding science may better shape future guideline development as well as clinical and public health interventions to reduce the amount of sedentary behaviour in modern societies.
Division of Population Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. eford@cdc.gov
Earl S
ES
Ford
Carl J
CJ
Caspersen
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D057566:Self Report; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013690:Television; D013997:Time Factors