The Descriptive Epidemiology of Daily Sitting Time As a Sedentary Behavior in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Background: Sedentary behavior is pervasive among the general population, but little is known about the epidemiology of this behavior in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objectives: We compared self-reported sitting time (ST), as a measure of sedentary behavior, between persons with MS and healthy controls, and examined ST across demographic and clinical characteristics of the MS sample.

Methods: 1081 persons with MS and 150 healthy controls self-reported ST based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and completed the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) and a demographic/clinical scale. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, bivariate correlations, and stepwise regression analysis.

Results: There was not a significant difference in ST between persons with MS and controls (F=0.01, p=0.95), and persons with MS reported 450.9±220.6 hours of ST per day. ST was weakly associated with GLTEQ scores in MS (r=−.21, p<.001), but not controls. ST significantly differed as functions of marital status, physical activity level, employment status, education, and disability status among those with MS.

Conclusions: ST does not differ between persons with MS and healthy controls, but those with MS report a large amount of this sedentary behavior that is an independent correlate of health and disease outcomes.