Cited by 518Physical Activity and HealthContext-Aware Activity Recognition SystemsErgonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders

Methods of Measurement in epidemiology: Sedentary Behaviour

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Atkin, A. J., Gorely, T., Clemes, S. A., Yates, T., Edwardson, C., Brage, S., Salmon, J., Marshall, S. J. +1 more·2012·International Journal of Epidemiology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Research examining sedentary behaviour as a potentially independent risk factor for chronic disease morbidity and mortality has expanded rapidly in recent years. METHODS: We present a narrative overview of the sedentary behaviour measurement literature. Subjective and objective methods of measuring sedentary behaviour suitable for use in population-based research with children and adults are examined. The validity and reliability of each method is considered, gaps in the literature specific to each method identified and potential future directions discussed. RESULTS: To date, subjective approaches to sedentary behaviour measurement, e.g. questionnaires, have focused predominantly on TV viewing or other screen-based behaviours. Typically, such measures demonstrate moderate reliability but slight to moderate validity. Accelerometry is increasingly being used for sedentary behaviour assessments; this approach overcomes some of the limitations of subjective methods, but detection of specific postures and postural changes by this method is somewhat limited. Instruments developed specifically for the assessment of body posture have demonstrated good reliability and validity in the limited research conducted to date. Miniaturization of monitoring devices, interoperability between measurement and communication technologies and advanced analytical approaches are potential avenues for future developments in this field. CONCLUSIONS: High-quality measurement is essential in all elements of sedentary behaviour epidemiology, from determining associations with health outcomes to the development and evaluation of behaviour change interventions. Sedentary behaviour measurement remains relatively under-developed, although new instruments, both objective and subjective, show considerable promise and warrant further testing.

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Authors
Atkin, A. J., Gorely, T., Clemes, S. A., Yates, T., Edwardson, C., Brage, S., Salmon, J., Marshall, S. J., & Biddle, S. J.
Affiliations
Loughborough University (GB)
Corresponding author
Atkin, A. J.
Venue
International Journal of Epidemiology
Published
2012-10-01
Volume
41
Issue
5
Pages
1460-1471
ISSN
  • 0300-5771 (ISSN-L)
  • 1464-3685
OpenAlex
W2131415741
Cited by
518
References
111
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 62 · 2019: 56 · 2018: 46 · 2017: 66 · 2016: 60 · 2015: 52 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 1
FWCI
21.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Stirling Online Research Repository (University of Stirling) (submittedVersion)
  • Apollo (University of Cambridge) (submittedVersion)
  • Victoria University Research Repository (Victoria University) (submittedVersion)
  • Deakin Research Online (Deakin University) (submittedVersion)
  • Loughborough University Institutional Repository (Loughborough University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • Loughborough University Research Repository (Loughborough University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
  • UEA Digital Repository (University of East Anglia) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Wellcome Trust (087636)
  • National Institute for Health and Care Research
  • British Heart Foundation
  • Economic and Social Research Council (ES/G007462/1)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Context-Aware Activity Recognition Systems
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
Keywords
sedentary behavior, accelerometry, television viewing, questionnaire reliability and validity, chronic disease risk factors, behaviour change interventions
MeSH terms
Data Collection, Epidemiologic Methods, Humans, Posture, Research Design, Reproducibility of Results, Health Behavior, Sedentary Behavior, Self Report, Accelerometry

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