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The relation between sleep duration and sedentary behaviours in European adults
J Lakerveld1, J D Mackenbach1, E Horvath1
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Summary
Short sleep duration is linked to increased sedentary screen time in European adults. Long sleepers also spend more awake time sitting. Further research is needed to understand these sleep and sedentary behavior links.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Sleep Science
Background:
- Sedentary behavior and sleep duration are independently linked to obesity.
- The relationship between sleep duration and various sedentary behaviors remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between short, normal, and long sleep durations and time spent sitting in European adults.
- To examine specific domains of sedentary behavior, including work, transport, leisure, and screen time.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey data from 6,037 European adults.
- Multivariable multilevel linear regression models analyzed self-reported sleep duration and sitting time.
- Exploration of moderation by region, age, gender, education, and weight status.
Main Results:
- Short sleepers reported significantly more sedentary screen time (26.5 min/day) compared to normal sleepers.
- No significant associations were found between sleep duration and total sitting time or other sedentary domains.
- Long sleepers exhibited a higher proportion of awake time spent sedentary (3.2%) compared to normal sleepers.
Conclusions:
- Shorter sleep duration is associated with increased sedentary screen time in European adults.
- The observed association between short sleep and screen time was consistent across various demographic and regional factors.
- Experimental studies are recommended to establish prospective relationships between sedentary behavior and sleep duration.
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