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Adult total wellness: group differences based on sitting time and physical activity level
Faisal A Barwais1, Thomas F Cuddihy, L Michaud Tomson
1School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. fabarwais@uqu.edu.sa.
BMC Public Health
|March 8, 2014
Summary
High sitting time is linked to lower total wellness, even for those meeting physical activity guidelines. Reducing sedentary behavior is crucial for overall health and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Health and Wellness
Background:
- Growing evidence links prolonged sitting time to adverse health outcomes.
- Physical activity benefits are established, yet high sitting time persists even with sufficient activity.
- Total wellness encompasses body, mind, and spirit, offering a holistic health perspective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between sitting time, physical activity levels, and total wellness in adults.
- To determine how combinations of high/low sitting time and insufficient/sufficient physical activity impact overall wellness.
- To explore the multifaceted construct of total wellness beyond traditional health definitions.
Main Methods:
- 226 adults (27±6 years) assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and Wellness Evaluation of Lifestyle Inventory.
- ANCOVA analyzed the effects of sitting time/physical activity groups on total wellness, controlling for age, sex, and work status.
- Cross-tabulations examined associations between IPAQ-derived categories and wellness levels (high, moderate, development needed).
Main Results:
- Most participants exhibited high sitting time with sufficient physical activity.
- Significant differences in total wellness were observed across physical activity/sitting time groups (p<0.001).
- 100% of participants with high sitting time/insufficient activity had "wellness development needed," while 72% with low sitting time/sufficient activity had "moderate wellness."
Conclusions:
- Many individuals meeting physical activity guidelines still exceed median sitting times.
- Reducing sedentary behavior alongside enhanced physical activity is vital for improving total wellness.
- Findings can inform public health initiatives promoting comprehensive well-being.
