Prevalence and correlates of sedentary behaviour among a national sample of 15-98 years old individuals in South Africa

Abstract

Excessive sedentary behaviour can have a negative impact on health. This study examined the prevalence, sociodemographic and health correlates of sedentary behaviour among persons 15-98 years old in South Africa. Data were analysed from the cross-sectional South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) 2012, using a sample of 13792 individuals (mean age=38.6, SD=17.6). The occurrence of high sedentary behaviour (≥8 hours/day) was 13.3%, with the mean of 265 minutes a day (SD=173). In adjusted analyses, older age, not employed, having functional disability, cognitive impairment, consumption of fast foods and processed meat, having hypertension and stroke were positively associated with sedentary behaviour, while being Coloured and having angina were negatively associated with high sedentary behaviour and/or total minutes spent sedentary per day. High sedentary behaviour is not uncommon in this population. The results can be used to guide future intervention strategies aimed at reducing sedentary behaviour among the adolescent and adult population in South Africa.

Keywords: Sedentary behaviour, demographic factors, physical health status, health behaviour, mental health, South Africa