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Cited by 418Physical Activity and HealthContext-Aware Activity Recognition SystemsAging, Health, and Disability

Prevalence of Sedentary Behavior in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Open access
Harvey, Juliet, Chastin, Sebastien, Skelton, Dawn·2013·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
DOI 10.3390/ijerph10126645PMC PMC3881132
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Abstract

Sedentary behavior is a cluster of behaviors adopted in a sitting or lying posture where little energy is being expended. Sedentary behavior is a risk factor for health independent to inactivity. Currently, there are no published systematic reviews on the prevalence of sedentary behavior objectively measured in, or subjectively reported by, older adults. The aim of this systematic review was to collect and analyze published literature relating to reported prevalence of sedentary behavior, written in English, on human adults, where subjects aged 60 years and over were represented in the study. 23 reports covered data from 18 surveys sourced from seven countries. It was noted that sedentary behavior is defined in different ways by each survey. The majority of surveys included used self-report as a measurement of sedentary behavior. Objective measurements were also captured with the use of body worn accelerometers. Whether measurements are subjective or objective, the majority of older adults are sedentary. Almost 60% of older adult’s reported sitting for more than 4 h per day, 65% sit in front of a screen for more than 3 h daily and over 55% report watching more than 2 h of TV. However, when measured objectively in a small survey, it was found that 67% of the older population were sedentary for more than 8.5 h daily.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This systematic review synthesizes 23 reports from 18 surveys in seven countries and finds sedentary behavior highly prevalent in older adults, with about 59% reporting >4 h/day sitting and 67% objectively sedentary >8.5 h/day in one small accelerometry study. Measurement heterogeneity and self-report limitations constrain comparability across surveys.

Key findings

  • Across seven sitting surveys (N = 372,550 older adults), meta-prevalence was 58.9% sitting >4 h/day, 26.6% >6 h/day, and 5.0% >10 h/day; 78% reported >3 h/day versus 22% <3 h/day.
  • TV viewing meta-prevalence from nine surveys (N = 275,344) was 56% >2 h/day, 54.2% >3 h/day, and 15.1% >4 h/day; screen-time meta-prevalence from three studies (N = 105,424) was 52.9% >4 h/day and 93.6% >2 h/day.
  • Computer use was reported by 64.6% of UK older adults, but fewer than 10% of Canadian older adults used a computer for more than 1.6 h daily; use was higher in younger older adults and males.
  • Objective accelerometry in 649 English older adults found 67% sedentary for more than 8.5 h of the waking day, with only 33% below that threshold; gender differences were small, and sedentary time increased slightly over age 75 except for computer use.

Methods

  • Systematic review with electronic searches of AMED, CINAHL, and Medline in August 2013, plus manual journal searches, reference-list checks, and author contact; inclusion required English-language scholarly papers on human adults with participants aged 60+, prevalence of sedentary behavior as a defined outcome, >200 subjects, and at least one day of recording.
  • The search returned 2,343 papers; after duplicates, 2,078 were reviewed, with 1,864 excluded by title, 113 by abstract, and 82 by full text, leaving 19 papers; additional data and manual searching yielded 23 reports from 18 surveys in seven countries, covering over 500,000 older adults.
  • Data were converted to hours/day where needed, and prevalence data were pooled into meta-prevalence using the inverse variance method for sitting (7/9 surveys), TV viewing (9/10 surveys), and screen time (3 studies); computer use and accelerometry data were not pooled.

Limitations

  • The paper states that inverse variance meta-prevalence has limitations for very high and very low prevalence, tending to overestimate weights for such categories, and that pooled studies used different prevalence categories, so weighting may have been underestimated for some larger time categories.
  • The paper states that accelerometry data came from a single study of 649 older adults in one country and may not be generalizable; it also notes that the accelerometer measured lack of activity counts as sedentary rather than sitting, potentially including standing time.
  • The paper states that self-report measures have poor accuracy and can underestimate relationships, and the text makes evident that sedentary behavior definitions were not standardized until 2012, most surveys used self-report, and specific data on the oldest old were limited.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.3390/ijerph10126645

Cites

40 of 40 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 106 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Objective measurements of sedentary behavior were also captured in included surveys with body-worn accelerometers.

    “Objective measurements were also captured with the use of body worn accelerometers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Over 55% of older adults report watching more than 2 h of TV.

    “over 55% report watching more than 2 h of TV”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In a small survey with objective measurement, 67% of the older population were sedentary for more than 8.5 h daily.

    “However, when measured objectively in a small survey, it was found that 67% of the older population were sedentary for more than 8.5 h daily.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Almost 60% of older adults reported sitting for more than 4 h per day.

    “Almost 60% of older adult’s reported sitting for more than 4 h per day”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The majority of included surveys used self-report as a measurement of sedentary behavior.

    “The majority of surveys included used self-report as a measurement of sedentary behavior.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 20
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 17

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The review included 23 reports covering data from 18 surveys sourced from seven countries.

    “23 reports covered data from 18 surveys sourced from seven countries.”
    • Also stated in: § 3.1. Selection Process Results · plain
      “The process of the review resulted in 23 reports of prevalence of sedentary behavior in older adults as illustrated in Figure 1.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    For TV viewing time, data were pooled from 9 of 10 surveys.

    “For TV viewing time data were pooled from 9/10 surveys.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Some included papers included older adults as a group within a larger population study, while some were specifically designed to describe the behavior of the older population.

    “Some papers included older adults as a group within a larger scale population study; some were specifically designed to describe the behavior of the older population.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingown data

    There is not a consistent definition of older adults in the included papers.

    “There is not a consistent definition of older adults in the included papers.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    For total sitting time, data were pooled from 7 of 9 surveys.

    “For total sitting time, the data were pooled from 7/9 surveys.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    Over 60 years and over 65 years are the most frequently occurring definitions of older adults in the included papers.

    “Over 60 years and over 65 years are the most frequently occurring definitions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    In this age group there was little difference in results whether participants were asked to report weekday sitting and weekend sitting.

    “In this age group there was little difference in results whether the participants’ were asked to report weekday sitting and weekend sitting.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingnone given

    Sedentary behavior was defined in different ways by each included survey.

    “It was noted that sedentary behavior is defined in different ways by each survey.”
    • Also stated in: § 2.3. Methods of Data Presentation · plain
      “Different measurement methods and categorizations were used to define sedentary behavior in the included studies.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the meta-prevalence of sitting, time categories were <3 h (22%) and >3 h (78%), equal to 100%.

    “Figure 3 Meta-Prevalence of sitting, N = 372,550 older adults, n = 7 from six countries, note time categories of <3 h (22%) and >3 h (78%) is equal to 100%.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Two papers covered two surveys on computer use and one paper covered one survey on accelerometry.

    “Two surveys covered two surveys on computer use and one paper covered 1 survey on accelerometry.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Screen time data were pooled from 3 studies for meta-prevalence.

    “Screen time data was pooled from 3 studies for meta-prevalence.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The title review excluded 1,864 papers, the abstract review excluded 113, and the full text review excluded 82, leaving 19 papers included.

    “The title review excluded 1,864 papers, the abstract review excluded 113 and the full text excluded 82, leaving 19 papers to be included for the study.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    There was not sufficient data to carry out inverse variance on computer use or sedentary time by accelerometry.

    “There was not sufficient data to carry out inverse variance on computer use or sedentary time by accelerometry, so they are presented and described as per the papers.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    On average, 61.5% of females reported more than 4 h of sitting, compared with 63.5% of males.

    “On average 61.5% females reported more than 4 h of sitting compared to males at 63.5% [3,17,18].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [3] Dogra, S., and Stathokostas, L. (2012). Sedentary behavior and physical activity are independent predictors of successful aging in middle-aged and older adults. J. Aging Res. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [17] Dunstan, 2010, Television viewing time and mortality: The Australian diabetes, obesity and lifestyle study (AusDiab), Circulation source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [18] Banks, 2011, Screen-time, obesity, ageing and disability: Findings from 91,266 participants in the 45 and up study, Public Health Nutr. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The electronic search returned a total of 2,343 papers (Medline: 732; AMED: 722; CINAHL: 888).

    “The electronic search returned a total of 2,343 papers (Medline: 732; AMED: 722; CINAHL: 888).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    There were 13 papers on TV viewing, covering 10 surveys, with nine included in the meta-prevalence.

    “With TV viewing 13 papers, covering 10 surveys, nine of which were included in the meta-prevalence.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    There were 13 papers on sitting, covering nine surveys, with seven studies used for the meta-prevalence.

    “As can be seen from Figure 2, there were 13 papers on sitting, covering nine surveys with seven studies used for the meta-prevalence.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    After removal of duplicated papers, 2,078 papers were reviewed.

    “After removal of duplicated papers, 2,078 papers were reviewed.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Three papers covered three studies, all of which were included in the meta-prevalence for screen time.

    “Three papers covered three studies, all of which were included in the meta-prevalence for screen time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Dividing weekly sedentary behavior by 7 to give an average daily measurement had been used in several papers and shown to have good reliability as a criterion measure.

    “This method had been used in several papers and shown to have good reliability as a criterion measure [13].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] Salmon, 2003, Physical activity and sedentary behavior: A population-based study of barriers, enjoyment, and preference, Health Psychol. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Sedentary behavior is an independent health risk factor, separate from lack of physical activity, and is associated with successful aging, morbidity and mortality.

    “Recently, an emergence of research in sedentary behavior (SB) has indicated that SB is an independent health risk factor, separate to lack of PA, associated with successful aging, morbidity and mortality [2,3,4].”
    • Also stated in: § Abstract · plain
      “Sedentary behavior is a risk factor for health independent to inactivity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [2] Katzmarzyk, 2010, Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and health: Paradigm paralysis or paradigm shift?, Diabetes source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [3] Dogra, S., and Stathokostas, L. (2012). Sedentary behavior and physical activity are independent predictors of successful aging in middle-aged and older adults. J. Aging Res. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [4] Thorp, 2011, Sedentary behaviors and subsequent health outcomes in adults, Am. J. Prev. Med. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Where conflicting opinions arose about inclusion, the paper was included to the next phase for further consideration and excluded when there was agreement on inclusion.

    “Where conflicting opinions arose with regard to the inclusion decision the paper was included to the next phase for further consideration and excluded when there was agreement on the inclusion of said paper.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductnone given

    The papers were reviewed by three independent researchers using inclusion and exclusion criteria.

    “The papers were reviewed by three independent researchers using inclusion and exclusion criteria (Table 1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The accelerometer employed measures lack of counts of activity as sedentary, rather than sitting, so some standing time could potentially be included in the sedentary data.

    “The accelerometer employed in this case measures lack of counts of activity as sedentary, rather than sitting, thus there could potentially be some standing time included in this sedentary data.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] Stamatakis, 2012, Associations between multiple indicators of objectively-measured and self-reported sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic risk in older adults, Prev. Med. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The accelerometry data for older adults are based on a study of 649 and a single country, so they may not be generalizable to the population.

    “The accelerometry data for older adults was based on a study of 649 and a single country, therefore perhaps not generalizable to the population.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27] Stamatakis, 2012, Associations between multiple indicators of objectively-measured and self-reported sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic risk in older adults, Prev. Med. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Computer use is higher in younger older adults than in those over 74 years, and is more favored by males.

    “Younger older adults use computers more than those over 74 years and the activity is more favored by males.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [21] Shields, 2008, Screen time among Canadian adults: A profile, Health Rep.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Those individuals who are less sedentary tend to age more successfully and report better quality of life.

    “Those individuals who are less sedentary tend to age more successfully and report better quality of life [3,25].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [3] Dogra, S., and Stathokostas, L. (2012). Sedentary behavior and physical activity are independent predictors of successful aging in middle-aged and older adults. J. Aging Res. source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [25] Balboa-Castillo, T., León-Muñoz, L.M., Graciani, A., Rodríguez-Artalejo, F., and Guallar-Castillón, P. (2011). Longitudinal association of physical activity and sedentary behavior during leisure time with health-related quality of life in community-dwelling older adults. Health Qual. Life Outcomes, 9. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    TV viewing is associated with other unhealthy habits such as consumption of unhealthy food and drinks or the influence of advertising to encourage these behaviors, and may be a confounding factor with negative health effects of sitting.

    “TV viewing is also associated with other unhealthy habits such as consumption of unhealthy food and drinks or the influence of adverting to encourage these behaviors, therefore may also be a confounding factor with negative health effects of sitting [36].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [36] Stamatakis, 2012, Sedentary time in relation to cardio-metabolic risk factors: Differential association for self-report vs. accelerometry in working age adults, Int. J. Epidemiol. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Significant independent association between sitting time and invasive breast cancer risk and risk of renal cell carcinoma was not shown, although a weak correlation could not be ruled out.

    “However, association between sitting time and invasive breast cancer risk and risk of renal cell carcinoma has been specifically examined and significant independent association was not shown, although a weak correlation could not be ruled out [31,32].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [31] George, 2010, Beyond recreational physical activity: Examining occupational and household activity, transportation activity, and sedentary behavior in relation to postmenopausal breast cancer risk, Am. J. Public Health source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [32] George, 2011, A prospective analysis of prolonged sitting time and risk of renal cell carcinoma among 300,000 older adults, Ann. Epidemiol. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductreasoning

    Because the pooled studies had different categories of prevalence, weighting might have been underestimated for some studies evaluating prevalence of larger categories of time.

    “In addition, the studies pooled had different categories of prevalence and while we only considered non overlapping categories it is possible that weighting might have been underestimated for some studies evaluating prevalence of larger categories of time.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Self-report measures are known to have poor accuracy and lead to an underestimation of the strength of the relationship.

    “Self-report measures are known to have poor accuracy and lead to an underestimation of the strength of the relationship [37].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [37] Celis-Morales, C.A., Perez-Bravo, F., Ibńez, L., Salas, C., Bailey, M.E.S., and Gill, J.M.R. (2012). Objective vs. self-report physical activity and sedentary time: Effects of measurement method on relationship with risk biomarkers. PLoS One, 7. source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Both screen time and TV time can be used as proxy measurements of sedentary behavior.

    “Both screen time and TV time can be used as proxy measurements of sedentary behavior.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
32 of 32

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    There are no published systematic reviews on the prevalence of sedentary behavior objectively measured in, or subjectively reported by, older adults.

    “Currently, there are no published systematic reviews on the prevalence of sedentary behavior objectively measured in, or subjectively reported by, older adults.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    TV viewing serves as a proxy for sedentary behavior.

    “TV viewing serves as a proxy for sedentary behavior, Figure 4 shows the meta-prevalence of TV viewing reported by older adults.”
2 of 2

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • Exercise participation among older adults is low and may be precluded or limited due to age-related co-morbidities, social and environmental barriers.

    “exercise participation among older adults is low and in a number of older adults may be precluded or limited due to age-related co-morbidities, as well as social and environmental barriers [136–140].”

    From Targeting Intramyocellular Lipids to Improve Aging Muscle Function (2025) · cites this paper as [138]

Cites

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Related

Authors
Harvey, J., Chastin, S., & Skelton, D.
Affiliations
Glasgow Caledonian University (GB)
Corresponding author
Harvey, Juliet
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2013-12-02
Volume
10
Issue
12
Pages
6645-6661
ISSN
1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/ijerph10126645
PMC
PMC3881132
OpenAlex
W2006256354
Cited by
418
References
43
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 44 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 42 · 2021: 54 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 8
FWCI
1.72
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • ResearchOnline (Glasgow Caledonian University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition › Context-Aware Activity Recognition Systems
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
Keywords
sedentary behavior, older adults, prevalence, sitting time, screen time, television viewing, accelerometry, self-report, physical inactivity, health risk factors
MeSH terms
Aged, Humans, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, Prevalence, Sedentary Behavior, Self Report

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