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Sex-Specific Leisure-Time Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Patterns in French Adults
Jérôme Bouchan1,2, Charlotte Verdot2, Hélène Charreire3
1Nutritional Epidemiology Research Team (EREN), Université Sorbonne Paris Nord and Université Paris Cité, INSERM, INRAE, CNAM, Center of Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS), Bobigny, France.
Journal of Physical Activity & Health
|July 11, 2025
Summary
Physical inactivity combined with high sedentary behavior is linked to obesity in both men and women. Understanding these sex-specific patterns can help create targeted health interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior significantly influence health outcomes.
- Distinct sex-based differences exist in PA levels, necessitating tailored approaches.
- Combined behavioral patterns require definition for effective intervention and policy design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define sex-specific behavioral patterns integrating leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behavior.
- To examine the associations of these patterns with sociodemographic factors and obesity.
- To inform targeted public health strategies by understanding sex differences in health behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the French Esteban national survey (2014-2016) with a representative adult sample.
- Employed the Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess leisure-time PA and screen time.
- Applied multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical classification to identify behavioral clusters in 1491 women and 1157 men.
Main Results:
- Identified three distinct behavioral clusters for each sex.
- In women, inactivity with high screen time (61.7%) correlated with lower education and higher obesity risk.
- In men, low PA with high screen time (39.9%) was linked to younger age, obesity, single status, and urban living.
Conclusions:
- A pattern of low physical activity and high sedentary behavior is associated with obesity in both sexes.
- Sex-specific behavioral patterns were identified, highlighting the need for tailored interventions.
- Findings provide a basis for developing targeted public health interventions that consider sex differences in behavior.
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