Background
Sedentary behavior is emerging as an independent risk factor for physical health,
although there is no existing evidence regarding mental well-being.
Purpose
This study aimed to examine the association between recreational sedentary behavior
(based on TV- and screen-based entertainment [TVSE] time) and mental health in a representative
sample of adults.
Methods
Participants were 3920 men and women (mean age 51.0±15.8 years) from the 2003 Scottish
Health Survey. The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the mental health component
of the 12-Item Short-Form Survey Instrument (MCS-12) were administered to obtain information
on current mental health. Self-reported TVSE time, physical activity, and physical
function was also measured. Analyses were conducted in 2009.
Results
Approximately 25% of participants engaged in at least 4 hours/day of TVSE. In general
linear models, TVSE time per week was independently associated with GHQ-12 score (higher
scores represent worse mental health status) after adjustment for age, gender, physical
activity, physical function, area deprivation level, smoking, alcohol, fruit and vegetable
intake, and BMI. After full adjustment, participants in the group with the highest
TVSE level (>4 hours/day) had an increase in GHQ-12 score of 0.28 (95% CI=0.05, 0.51)
compared with participants in the group with the lowest TVSE level (≤2 hours/day).
In stratified analyses, the association between TVSE time and GHQ-12 score persisted
across all physical activity levels. Similar associations were observed using the
MCS-12.
Conclusions
Sedentary behavior in leisure time is independently associated with poorer mental
health scores in a representative population sample.
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© 2010 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
