Decline in Sedentary Behavior Among U.S. Adults Over the Past Decade

Recent research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates a notable reduction in sedentary behavior among U.S. adults from 2013 to 2020, with stabilization observed thereafter. A study led by Dr. Sidong Li from the University of Science and Technology of China analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to evaluate changes in daily sedentary time.

The findings reveal that the average sedentary duration decreased significantly from 7.1 hours per day in 2013-2014 to 5.9 hours in 2017-2020. However, this decline did not continue into 2021-2023, where the average was recorded at around 6.0 hours per day. Alongside this, the proportion of adults engaging in prolonged sedentary sessions—defined as six or more hours daily—dropped from 54.6% in 2013-2014 to 35.5% in 2017-2020, and remained relatively stable at 36.7% in 2021-2023. These trends were consistent across various demographic groups such as age, gender, race, and ethnicity. Notably, older adults aged 65 and above, along with Hispanic populations, exhibited lower rates of extended sedentary periods.

The researchers suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on daily activity patterns, influencing both decreases in sedentary behavior and shifts in lifestyle. This data underscores the importance of ongoing public health efforts to promote active living among adults.

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