Identifying typologies of diurnal patterns in desk-based workers' sedentary time

PLoS One. 2021 Apr 9;16(4):e0248304. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248304. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify typologies of diurnal sedentary behavior patterns and sociodemographic characteristics of desk-based workers. The sedentary time of 229 desk-based workers was measured using accelerometer devices. The within individual diurnal variations in sedentary time was calculated for both workdays and non-workdays. Diurnal variations in sedentary time during each time period (morning, afternoon, and evening) was calculated as the percentage of sedentary time during each time period divided by the percentage of the total sedentary time. A hierarchical cluster analysis (Ward's method) was used to identify the optimal number of clusters. To refine the initial clusters, a non-hierarchical cluster analysis (k-means method) was performed. Four clusters were identified: stable sedentary cluster (46.7%), off-morning break cluster (26.6%), off-afternoon break cluster (8.3%), and evening sedentary cluster (18.3%). The stable sedentary cluster had the lowest variations in sedentary time throughout the day and the highest amount of total sedentary time. Participants in the off-morning and off-afternoon break clusters had nearly the same sedentary patterns but took short-term breaks during non-workday mornings or afternoons. The evening sedentary cluster had a completely different pattern, with a longer sedentary time during the evening both on workdays and non-workdays. Sociodemographic attributes such as sex, household income, educational attainment, employment status, sleep duration, and residential area, differed significantly between groups. Initiatives to address desk-based workers' sedentary behavior need to focus not only on the workplace but also on the appropriate timing for reducing excessive sedentary time in non-work contexts depending on the characteristics and diurnal patterns of target subgroups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accelerometry / methods
  • Adult
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Educational Status
  • Employment
  • Exercise / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sedentary Behavior*
  • Sitting Position
  • Sleep / physiology
  • Standing Position
  • Workplace / psychology

Grants and funding

SK was supported by 34th (2017) Research-Aid from Meiji Yasuda Life Foundation of Health and Welfare (https://www.my-zaidan.or.jp/josei/about/). AS was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (No. 18K10986) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/ja/grant/KAKENHI-PROJECT-18K10986/). KO was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (No. 20H04113) (https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/ja/grant/KAKENHI-PROJECT-20H04113/), and a MEXT-Supported Program for the Strategic Research Foundation at Private Universities (No. S1511017) (http://www.mext.go.jp/en/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.