Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 4 complete abstracts (1,151 words), 10 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Behaviors during waking hours that have low energy expenditure and are often performed in a sitting or reclining posture.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Behavior, Sedentary; Sedentary Behaviors; Sedentariness; Sedentary Lifestyle; Lifestyle, Sedentary; Reclining Position; Physical Inactivity; Inactivity, Physical.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Behavior; Life Style
Related concepts
- Posture
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 17,017 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Sedentary Behavior” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 7,609 of them (44.7%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 9,516 records.
Reviews account for 1,971 records (11.6%) and meta-analyses for 454. Randomized controlled trials number 1,628 (9.6%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up a comparatively large share of this literature, which means many treatment questions have been tested directly.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 0 |
| 2000-2009 | 189 |
| 2010-2019 | 9,516 |
| 2020 onward | 7,609 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 1,971 | 11.6% |
| Meta-analyses | 454 | 2.7% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 1,628 | 9.6% |
Method: PubMed query "Sedentary Behavior"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in psychiatry and psychology
Research on mental health and behaviour relies on questionnaires, interviews and rating scales rather than physical measurements, so how a condition was defined and measured shapes every result. Many studies are observational or small, placebo responses can be large, and findings in one group or culture may not carry over to another. Nothing on this page is advice about diagnosis or treatment; anyone worried about their mental health should talk to a qualified clinician. Check how outcomes were measured, who took part and how long they were followed.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
Low physical activity-related disease burden, 1990-2021: assessment of global trends and social determinants based on GBD 2021 data [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundLow physical activity (LPA) is associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular pathologies.
- Closing excerpt
- Moreover, high-SDI regions should strengthen nationwide physical activity promotion, while low- and middle-SDI areas must enhance healthcare infrastructure and manage population growth to reduce LPA-related disease burdens.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (267 words)
BackgroundLow physical activity (LPA) is associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular pathologies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of several noncommunicable diseases relating to LPA.MethodsUsing the 2021 Global Burden of Disease data set, we modelled LPA-related disease burdens across 204 countries and territories, quantifying mortality counts, age-standardised mortality rates, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for five noncommunicable diseases. We conducted multivariable stratification analyses to assess variations by gender, age, and sociodemographic index (SDI) quintiles. We used age-period-cohort modelling to project burden trajectories, while applying counterfactual decomposition frameworks to delineate synergistic interactions between LPA and risk factors.ResultsWe found that LPA accounted for 555 101 related deaths globally in 2021 across the five studied pathologies, mostly among individuals aged 60-94 years. Association between LPA-related disease burden and SDI followed a U-shaped distribution across regions and diseases. Among individuals aged 60-89 years, LPA-related deaths were significantly higher in women than in men, indicating a disproportionate burden on elderly females. Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) trends stabilised in low- and middle-SDI regions but declined significantly in high-SDI regions, underscoring global health disparities. From 2007 to 2011, LPA DALYs and mortality risk ratios for IHD, stroke, and lower extremity peripheral arterial disease declined from >1 to ConclusionsPhysical activity should be increased among elderly women to address health risks associated with LPA. Likewise, urgent public health interventions are needed for LPA-related diabetes. As IHD burden rises in low- and middle-SDI regions, vascular disease care strategies require optimisation. Moreover, high-SDI regions should strengthen nationwide physical activity promotion, while low- and middle-SDI areas must enhance healthcare infrastructure and manage population growth to reduce LPA-related disease burdens.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41343173 · DOI · PMC12677240
Impact of physical activity patterns and sedentary behavior on sarcopenia prevalence among adults aged 18 to 59: A cross-sectional study from NHANES [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Sarcopenia, a growing public health concern lacking targeted therapies, highlights the need to investigate modifiable factors like physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior, which influence muscle health.
- Closing excerpt
- Promoting population-level PA participation could serve as a preventive strategy for sarcopenia, however, additional research is necessary to confirm these findings.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (327 words)
Sarcopenia, a growing public health concern lacking targeted therapies, highlights the need to investigate modifiable factors like physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior, which influence muscle health. However, most research focuses on older adults, with limited data on young and middle-aged populations. This study leverages the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data to investigate this topic in the US population aged 18 to 59 to address this critical gap. This cross-sectional study utilized data from 7869 participants in the NHANES (2011-2018) to assess associations between PA patterns, sedentary behavior, and sarcopenia risk. PA and sedentary behavior were measured via self-report, "weekend warriors" was defined as individuals who meet weekly physical activity guidelines (≥150 minutes) but exercise infrequently (<2 sessions/week), and sarcopenia was defined using the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) guidelines. Weighted multivariate logistic regression was used, with results presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Nonlinear associations were explored using restricted cubic splines. In the final analysis, 689 participants (8.76%) were classified as having sarcopenia. After adjusting the covariates, sedentary time (h/day) increased the risk of sarcopenia (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.10), with a linear dose-response relationship. However, for every 1-hour increment in PA, there was a 6% reduction in the risk of sarcopenia (a linear relationship was also observed), and this negative association was more pronounced for vigorous PA (OR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.29-0.53). Meanwhile, compared to inactive individuals, both "weekend warriors" (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.23-0.72) and those with regular PA patterns (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.54-0.92) were less susceptible to sarcopenia. These associations showed a potentially more significant trend in older (45-59 years) and male participants. This study identifies that PA can decrease the potential risk of sarcopenia in adults aged 18 to 59, whereas prolonged sedentary behavior increases it. Promoting population-level PA participation could serve as a preventive strategy for sarcopenia, however, additional research is necessary to confirm these findings.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40922308 · DOI · PMC12419358
Sleep, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and risk of cataract: a cross-sectional and prospective study from UK Biobank [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundCataract is a leading cause of visual impairment globally.
- Closing excerpt
- Modifying these behaviors, either individually or in combination, can effectively mitigate the risk of cataract.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (325 words)
BackgroundCataract is a leading cause of visual impairment globally. Although daily behaviors such as sleep, physical activity (PA), and sedentary behavior (SB) have been associated with cataract risk, the evidence remains controversial and uncertain. This study aimed to examine the independent and combined effects of sleep, PA, and SB on cataract risk using data from the UK Biobank.MethodsThe cross-sectional analyses included 440,645 participants from the UK Biobank with complete data on sleep, PA, and SB. For the longitudinal analyses, a subset of 426,540 participants without cataract at baseline was included. Cataract cases were identified through hospital inpatient records and self-reported data. Baseline data on sleep, PA, and SB were collected via touchscreen questionnaires. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the independent and synergistic associations between sleep, PA, SB, and cataract.ResultsIn the cross-sectional analyses, 440,645 participants were evaluated (54.0% female; mean [SD] age, 56.5 [8.1] years), of whom 14,105 (3.2%) had cataract. Significant associations were found between poor sleep (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.23-1.48), low PA (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.11), and cataract. Longitudinal analyses included 426,540 participants (53.9% female; mean [SD] age, 56.3 [8.1] years). During a mean follow-up period of 10.8 years, 55,658 incident cataract cases were recorded. Poor sleep (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.08-1.19), low PA (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.07), and high SB (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.11) were correlated with increased cataract risk. The combination of poor sleep, low PA, and high SB further elevated the risk, with the highest odds in cross-sectional (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.37-2.15) and prospective (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.21-1.55) analyses. Replacing 1 h/day of SB time with an equal time spent in total PA and sleep was associated with a 1.7% and 2.7% decreased risk of cataract, respectively.ConclusionsPoor sleep, low PA, and high SB are independently and jointly associated with an increased risk of cataract. Modifying these behaviors, either individually or in combination, can effectively mitigate the risk of cataract.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40781300 · DOI · PMC12333188
Validity and Reliability of a Self-administered Questionnaire for 24-hour Movement Behaviors [4]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundBrief measures of 24-hour movement behaviors are needed to easily evaluate their durations.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionFindings show acceptable validity and reliability of this questionnaire measure of 24-hour movement behaviors for typical week, past week, and previous day recall periods.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (232 words)
BackgroundBrief measures of 24-hour movement behaviors are needed to easily evaluate their durations. The present study investigated the criterion validity and test-retest reliability of a brief self-report instrument to assess 24-hour movement behaviors.MethodsA paper-based self-administered questionnaire was used to assess sleep, sedentary behavior (SB), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with four items in 35 healthy adults. Participants wore a tri-axial accelerometer and answered the questionnaire on the final day of the accelerometry assessment and after 14 days. Spearman's correlations of self-reported measures with their accelerometer-derived counterparts were assessed and median values compared using Mann-Whitney U-tests. Bland-Altman plots were employed to characterize differences in self-reported and device-measured time in the behaviors and their limits of agreement. Test-retest reliability was assessed using Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs).ResultsModerate correlations with device measures for sleep, SB, and LPA for a typical and the past week (rho = 0.46 to 0.60, respectively) and low correlations for MVPA (rho = 0.33 to 0.47, respectively) were observed. Less duration of sleep and MVPA were reported compared with accelerometer-derived durations for the three recall periods (z = -3.9 to -2.5 and -4.0 to -3.5, respectively). The test-retest reliability for a typical week was fair-to-good or excellent for all the four behaviors (ICCs = 0.72-0.90).ConclusionFindings show acceptable validity and reliability of this questionnaire measure of 24-hour movement behaviors for typical week, past week, and previous day recall periods.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 40915897 · DOI · PMC12975771
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Sedentary time and its association with risk for disease incidence, mortality, and hospitalization in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis [5]
- Research article Dose-response associations between accelerometry measured physical activity and sedentary time and all cause mortality: systematic review and harmonised meta-analysis [6]
- Research article Systematic review of sedentary behaviour and health indicators in school-aged children and youth [7]
- Research article Sedentary time in adults and the association with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death: systematic review and meta-analysis [8]
- Research article Sedentary behaviour and risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, and incident type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and dose response meta-analysis [9]
- Research article Role of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in the Mental Health of Preschoolers, Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [10]
Full-text reviews on EvidenceLib
Open-access review articles about this topic, reproduced in full with authors, licence and references.
Association between sedentary behavior and low back pain; A systematic review and meta-analysis
Sadegh Baradaran Mahdavi, Roya Riahi, Babak Vahdatpour et al. · Health Promotion Perspectives 2021 · CC BY 4.0
A systematic review of artificial intelligence chatbots for promoting physical activity, healthy diet, and weight loss
Yoo Jung Oh, Jingwen Zhang, Min-Lin Fang et al. · The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 2021 · CC BY 4.0
References
- Liu H, Liu Z, Gong Y, Guo J, Liu X, Sun Y, et al.. Low physical activity-related disease burden, 1990-2021: assessment of global trends and social determinants based on GBD 2021 data. . 2025. PMID 41343173 · DOI · PMC12677240
- Li Z, Yang J, Yang J, Liu S, Guo X, Cui Z. Impact of physical activity patterns and sedentary behavior on sarcopenia prevalence among adults aged 18 to 59: A cross-sectional study from NHANES. . 2025. PMID 40922308 · DOI · PMC12419358
- Peng Y, Zhang Y, Kam KW, Ho M, Au S, Zhang X, et al.. Sleep, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and risk of cataract: a cross-sectional and prospective study from UK Biobank. . 2025. PMID 40781300 · DOI · PMC12333188
- Kitayama A, Ishii K, Shibata A, Yasunaga A, Clark B, Owen N, et al.. Validity and Reliability of a Self-administered Questionnaire for 24-hour Movement Behaviors. . 2026. PMID 40915897 · DOI · PMC12975771
- Biswas A, Oh PI, Faulkner GE, Bajaj RR, Silver MA, Mitchell MS, et al.. Sedentary time and its association with risk for disease incidence, mortality, and hospitalization in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 2015. PMID 25599350 · DOI
- Ekelund U, Tarp J, Steene-Johannessen J, Hansen BH, Jefferis B, Fagerland MW, et al.. Dose-response associations between accelerometry measured physical activity and sedentary time and all cause mortality: systematic review and harmonised meta-analysis. BMJ. 2019. PMID 31434697 · DOI · PMC6699591
- Tremblay MS, LeBlanc AG, Kho ME, Saunders TJ, Larouche R, Colley RC, et al.. Systematic review of sedentary behaviour and health indicators in school-aged children and youth. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2011. PMID 21936895 · DOI · PMC3186735
- Wilmot EG, Edwardson CL, Achana FA, Davies MJ, Gorely T, Gray LJ, et al.. Sedentary time in adults and the association with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death: systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetologia. 2012. PMID 22890825 · DOI
- Patterson R, McNamara E, Tainio M, de Sá TH, Smith AD, Sharp SJ, et al.. Sedentary behaviour and risk of all-cause, cardiovascular and cancer mortality, and incident type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and dose response meta-analysis. Eur J Epidemiol. 2018. PMID 29589226 · DOI · PMC6133005
- Rodriguez-Ayllon M, Cadenas-Sánchez C, Estévez-López F, Muñoz NE, Mora-Gonzalez J, Migueles JH, et al.. Role of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in the Mental Health of Preschoolers, Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med. 2019. PMID 30993594 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-11-04; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-11-04.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.