Obesity Epidemic in the United States
Sedentary Lifestyle
Sedentary Behavior
Sedentary Behavior is a contributing factor to the obesity epidemic. Sedentary Behavior involves long periods of inactivity with little mobility. This means the body is expending energy closer to a resting metabolic state and this can be a risk factor for many health issues. This can be due to leisure activities, work-related behaviors, or increases in technology use (Heinonen, Helajärvi, Pahkala, Heinonen, Hirvensalo, Pälve,Â
Raitakari, 2013).
In the Young Finns study, researchers found that TV viewing time is associated with increased waist circumference, a higher BMI, and risk for obesity. Watching TV may also change eating habits and increase intake (Heinonen et al., 2013). Children who had less than three hours of tv viewing performed better in reading and math than children who watched tv for more than three hours. Children who watch television for at least two hours a day are linked to being obese or overweight (Martin, Booth, Laird, Sproule, Reilly, & Saunders, 2018).
Sedentary behavior involves low muscle activity and lower energy expenditure. This can lead to insulin resistance, a positive energy balance, and therefore an increase in adipose tissue. Higher body masses are also associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, and other health risks (Heinonen et al., 2013). In children, sedentary behavior is associated with decreases in cognitive skills and school performance (Martin et al., 2018).
Overall, to combat the obesity epidemic, it’s important to reduce sedentary activities such as watching tv and incorporate physical activity instead. Lifestyle interventions such ones offered at school can be beneficial to children to treat obesity. There are also many prevention programs for adults that can help change eating habits and sedentary behavior (Martin et al., 2018).
References
Martin, A., Booth, J. N., Laird, Y., Sproule, J., Reilly, J. J., & Saunders, D. H. (2018). Physical
activity, diet and other behavioural interventions for improving cognition and school
achievement in children and adolescents with obesity or overweight. The Cochrane
database of systematic reviews, 3(3), (1-149).
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009728.pub4
Heinonen, I., Helajärvi, H., Pahkala, K., Heinonen, O. J., Hirvensalo, M., Pälve, K., …
Raitakari, O. T. (2013). Sedentary behaviours and obesity in adults: the Cardiovascular
Risk in Young Finns Study. BMJ Open, 3(6), e002901.