Prevalence and correlates of sedentary behaviour in an Atlantic Canadian population-based cohort

Cindy Forbes

Sitting time (i.e., sedentary behaviour) has been shown to be a risk factor for a number of chronic diseases and higher mortality, independent of physical activity levels. Despite the health risk, research suggests that the majority of the Canadian population spend about 10 hours per day sedentary. The Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), first launched in 2007, collects health information via household interviews and direct measures. A main goal of the CHMS is to allow researchers to determine relationships between disease risk factors and health status, and to explore emerging public health issues among Canadians. Research has shown that in order to change behaviour, targeting interventions to specific groups of the population may prove more effective. Examining the correlates of sitting time among the Atlantic PATH cohort will allow us to determine what groups are most sedentary and may benefit from targeted interventions. The aim of this report is to examine the demographic and medical correlates associated with sitting time in a cohort of Atlantic Canadians.