Sedentary Behavior in Brazilian Adults: A Population Based Study

Introduction: The alarming increase of sedentary behavior (SB) in recent years, mainly by the increasing screen time, emerges as an important public health problem in different population groups. Objectives: this study aimed to identify the distribution of sociodemographic, behavioral and health knowledge for time in SB in adults. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, with sampling by conglomerates. 970 adults were evaluated, aged 20-59 years, residents in Viçosa, MG. Sociodemographic and behavioral variables and the SB were evaluated through a structured interview. Results: Participants spent, in average, 329 min/day sitting (CI 95 % 317.61-340.26) and 147 min/day watching TV (CI 95 % 140.07-153.41). The younger age, being student, living without partner, meeting the physical activity recommendations, having higher schooling and higher socioeconomic level, having meals in front of TV and presenting a greater caloric consumption were identified as factors related to the “sitting time”. Among the factors possibly related to the “TV time”, working, socioeconomic level C, living with partner, knowing the physical activity recommendations and the relationship between SB and cardiovascular disease, having meals in front of TV and higher caloric consumption can be listed. Conclusions: Knowing how traits are distributed according to the time in sedentary behavior, helps in planning effective actions to reduce physical inactivity. It is recommended that sedentary behavior be considered independently of the level of physical activity form in planning health interventions.