ABSTRACT
Sedentary time, or the time in a sitting-related posture while awake and with low energy expenditure, is often thought to be associated with adiposity; however, an analysis of the literature suggests that such an association is more complex than is sometimes thought. While associations have been found between sedentary behavior and adiposity, they are small to very small, or even zero. Where associations do exist, they are more pronounced for self-reported behaviors, rather than those assessed with devices, and for TV viewing. Associations are highly variable and complex in nature. Coexisting behaviors of diet, physical activity, and sleep need to be assessed, and more research is needed on how sedentary time replaces, or is replaced by, other movement behaviors across the day. Total sedentary time is not associated with adiposity, but some specific sedentary behaviors, especially TV viewing, do show a small association.
