Watching TV has a distinct sociodemographic and lifestyle profile compared with other sedentary behaviors: A nationwide population-based study

PLoS One. 2017 Dec 5;12(12):e0188836. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188836. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Watching TV has been consistently associated with higher risk of adverse health outcomes, but the effect of other sedentary behaviors (SB) is uncertain. Potential explanations are that watching TV is not a marker of a broader sedentary pattern and that each SB reflects different sociodemographic and health characteristics. Data were taken form a survey on 10,199 individuals, representative of the Spanish population aged ≥18 years. SB and other health behaviors were ascertained using validated questionnaires. Watching TV was the predominant SB (45.4% of the total sitting time), followed by sitting at the computer (22.7%). TV watching time showed no correlation with total time on other SB (r: -0.02, p = 0.07). By contrast, time spent at the computer was directly correlated with time spent on commuting (r: 0.07, p<0.01), listening to music (r: 0.10, p<0.01) and reading (r: 0.08, p<0.01). TV watching time was greater in those with older age, lower education, unhealthier lifestyle, and with diabetes or osteomuscular disease. More time spent at the computer or in commuting was linked to younger age, male gender, higher education and having a sedentary job. In conclusion, watching TV is not correlated with other SB and shows a distinct demographic and lifestyle profile.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Demography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Surveillance*
  • Sedentary Behavior*
  • Social Class*
  • Spain
  • Television*
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from FIS 16/609 (State Secretary of R+D+I and FEDER/FSE), DEP2013-47786-R (Secretary of R+D+I and FEDER/FSE), and Plan Nacional sobre Drogas 02/2014 (Ministry of Health). The funding agencies had no role in study design, data analysis, interpretation of results, manuscript preparation or in the decision to submit this manuscript for publication.