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Cited by 192Physical Activity and HealthAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesErgonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Sedentary behaviour and risk of anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Allen, Mark S., Walter, Emma E., Swann, Christian·2019·Journal of Affective Disorders
DOI 10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.081
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Abstract

Objective This research synthesis sought to determine the magnitude of the association between sedentary behaviour (sitting time) and anxiety. Evidence acquisition A comprehensive literature search of eight electronic databases (and a manual search) identified 13 observational studies that met inclusion criteria (22 effect sizes; total n = 70,425). Pooled mean effects were computed using inverse-variance weighted random effects meta-analysis and moderation by study and population characteristics were tested using random effects meta-regression. Evidence synthesis Sedentary behaviour was associated with an increased risk of anxiety for non-adjusted effect sizes (k = 7, OR = 1.33 [95% CI: 1.14, 1.55]) and effect sizes adjusted for sociodemographic and health-related factors (k = 11, OR = 1.48 [95% CI: 1.25, 1.75]). There was no evidence of publication bias in the results. The regression models showed that effect sizes were not moderated by age or gender. However, there was some evidence of moderation by study quality and measurement of sedentary behaviour and anxiety. Measures of sitting time showed larger associations than measures of screen time, and measures of anxiety symptoms showed larger associations than measures of anxiety disorders. Conclusion The research synthesis provides evidence that sedentary behaviour has a small positive association with anxiety, after controlling for sociodemographic and other health-related factors. Study limitations include low statistical power in meta-regression models and heterogeneity in measures of anxiety and sedentary behaviour. Findings might be of interest to health care professionals developing health care initiatives to reduce risk of anxiety.

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  • Sedentary behavior is associated with adverse health outcomes, including increased risk of chronic non-communicable diseases, all-cause mortality, diminished positive affect, and increased susceptibility to depression and anxiety.

    “Sedentary behavior, characterized by wakefulness with low energy expenditure (≤ 1.5 METs), is closely associated with various adverse health outcomes [1]. It increases the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases and all-cause mortality, diminishes positive affect, and increases susceptibility to depression and anxiety [2, 3].”

    From Effect of classroom physical activity breaks on learning behaviors and academic achievements in university students: a systematic review (2026) · cites this paper as [3]

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Authors
Allen, M. S., Walter, E. E., & Swann, C.
Affiliations
  • University of Wollongong (AU)
  • Southern Cross University (AU)
Corresponding author
Allen, Mark S.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Affective Disorders
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-01
Volume
242
Pages
5-13
ISSN
0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.081
OpenAlex
W2888747277
Cited by
192
References
19
Citations by year
2026: 17 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 37 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 1
FWCI
2.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Cross Connect (Southern Cross University) (submittedVersion)
  • Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Keywords
sedentary behavior, sitting time, anxiety, anxiety disorders, screen time, anxiety symptoms
MeSH terms
Anxiety Disorders, Humans, Risk Assessment, Sedentary Behavior

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