This book addresses the origins, determinants and magnitude of the global problem of sedentary behaviour, along with concise yet in-depth solutions for tackling it.

As a consequence of major technological advances in modern society, many people find themselves in environments characterized by prolonged sedentary behaviour. Although inadequate exercise has long been known to cause adverse health consequences, sedentary behaviour has recently emerged as a risk factor for the development of numerous chronic diseases and health conditions. Building on the contributions of leading experts in the field, this book presents current knowledge about sedentary behaviour, its medical and public health significance, its correlates and determinants, measurement techniques, and recommendations for addressing this behaviour at the individual, community, environmental, and policy level. Applying a cross-disciplinary methodology, the book avoids considering physical activity and sedentary behavior as a single continuum, which potentially hampers progress in confronting widespread levels of sedentariness. Rather, the book helps readers better understand how sedentary and physically active behavior co-occur and how the two behaviours have distinct contributing factors. Building on the contributions of distinguished international experts in the field, this thorough resource is a valuable asset and challenges professionals, researchers, students, and practitioners alike to adopt new strategies and expand their reach.

Autorentext
Michael Leitzmann is chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the University of Regensburg, Germany. He holds an MD from the University of Berlin and an MPH in Quantitative Methods and a doctorate in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Leitzmann serves on numerous journal editorial boards and international scientific committees. His main research interests include the relations of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, diet, and body size to the development and prognosis of chronic disease, particularly cancer. Carmen Jochem is a medical doctor at the local health authority in Regensburg, Germany. She gained her MD at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and the University of Regensburg. She also completed a Master's degree in Global Health Policy at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Dr. Jochem served as a research associate in the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the University of Regensburg from 2012 to 2016. Her primary academic interest is the relation of physical activity and sedentary behaviour to chronic disease health outcomes.

Daniela Schmid holds a graduate degree in Nutrition and Hygiene from the Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences and a PhD in Nutrition from the Technical University Munich, Germany. She also completed a Master's degree in Epidemiology at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Dr. Schmid served as an associate lecturer in the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine at the University of Regensburg from 2012 to 2016. Her main research interest is the relation of physical activity and sedentary behaviour to cancer incidence and survival.

Inhalt

Introduction to Sedentary Behaviour Epidemiology.- Measurement of Sedentary Behaviour in Population Studies.- Analysis and Interpretation of Sedentary Behaviour Data.- The Descriptive Epidemiology of Sedentary Behaviour.- Physiologic Responses to Sedentary Behaviour.- Sedentary Behaviour and Adiposity.- Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) and Adiposity.- Sedentary Behaviour, Diabetes, and the Metabolic Syndrome.- Sedentary Behaviour and Cardiovascular Disease.- Sedentary Behaviour and Cancer.- Sedentary Behaviour and Depression.- Sedentary Behaviour and Psychosocial Health across the Life Course. Sedentary Behaviour and Aging.- Sedentary Behaviour and Mortality.- Models for Understanding Sedentary Behaviour.- Sedentary Behaviour at the Individual Level: Correlates, Theories, and Interventions.- Specific Interventions Targeting Sedentary Behaviour in Children and Adolescents.- Workplace Programs Aimed at Limiting Occupational Sitting.- Approaches to Decrease Sedentary Behaviour Among the Elderly.- Interventions Directed at Reducing Sedentary Behaviour in Persons with Pre-existing Disease or Disability.- Specific Approaches to Reduce Sedentary Behaviour in Overweight and Obese People.- Programs Targeting Sedentary Behaviour Among Ethnic Minorities and Immigrants.- Sedentary Behaviour at the Community Level: Correlates, Theories, and Interventions.- Sedentary Behaviour and the Social and Physical Environment.- Targeting Sedentary Behaviour at the Policy Level.- Dynamics of Sedentary Behaviours and Systems-Based Approach: Future Challenges and Opportunities in the Life Course Epidemiology of Sedentary Behaviours.- Genetics of Sedentariness.- Limitations in Sedentary Behaviour Research and Future Research Needs.