Does adult recreational screen-time sedentary behavior have an effect on self-perceived health?

Sedentary behavior is a risk factor for comorbidities independently of physical activity. Some studies have reported screen time as an unhealthier form of sedentary behavior. This study assessed the association between recreational screen-time behavior and self-perceived health.

This is a cross-sectional study.

As part of the Salut als Carrers Project, in 2018 a survey was conducted in a representative sample (n ​= ​795) of residents aged ​≥ ​18 years living in the borough of Horta, in Barcelona. The survey assessed self-perceived health, recreational screen-time behavior on working and non-working days (Marshall questionnaire), leisure time physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ] long form), socioeconomic status, and age. We analyzed associations between self-perceived health and recreational screen-time sedentary behavior, with adjustment of robust Poisson models for social class, age, and leisure physical activity. All analyses were stratified by gender.

A total of 82.7% of men and 82.5% of women reported sedentary behavior during recreational screen time of ≥3 ​h/day on working days, and 63.9% of men and 65.8% of women on non-working days. Spending ≥3 ​h/day sitting in front of a screen for leisure was associated with poor self-perceived health only on working days for men [PR ​= ​1.87 (1.13-3.09)] but not for women [PR ​= ​1.32 (0.82-2.11)] regardless of leisure physical activity, age, and social class.

In adults, sedentary behavior during recreational screen time on working days is adversely associated with perceived ill health in men, irrespective of leisure time physical activity. Public health interventions could benefit from promoting a reduction in leisure screen sitting time after working hours.