Time use and physical activity: a shift away from movement across the globe

Abstract

Technology linked with reduced physical activity (PA) in occupational work, home/domestic work, and travel and increased sedentary activities, especially television viewing, dominates the globe. Using detailed historical data on time allocation, occupational distributions, energy expenditures data by activity, and time-varying measures of metabolic equivalents of task (MET) for activities when available, we measure historical and current MET by four major PA domains (occupation, home production, travel and active leisure) and sedentary time among adults (>18 years). Trends by domain for the United States (1965-2009), the United Kingdom (1961-2005), Brazil (2002-2007), China (1991-2009) and India (2000-2005) are presented. We also project changes in energy expenditure by domain and sedentary time (excluding sleep and personal care) to 2020 and 2030 for each of these countries. The use of previously unexplored detailed time allocation and energy expenditures and other datasets represents a useful addition to our ability to document activity and inactivity globally, but highlights the need for concerted efforts to monitor PA in a consistent manner globally, increase global PA and decrease sedentary behavior. Given the potential impact on weight gain and other cardiometabolic health risks, the differential declines in MET of activity and increases in sedentary time across the globe represent a major threat to global health.

Figure 1

US Adults MET-hours Per Week of All Physical Activity, and Hours/Week of Time in Sedentary Behavior: Measured for 1965–2009, Forecasted for 2010–2030 Source: Multinational Time Use Studies v.5.52 (1965, 1975, 1998) v.5.8 (1985, 1992, 1995), and American Time Use Survey 2003–2009; Applying Compendium of Physical Activity MET-intensity values based on reported time spent across 41 MTUS coded activities and by occupation. Forecasting for 2010–2030 based on 2003–2009 slopes.

Figure 2

UK Adults MET-hours Per Week of All Physical Activity, and Hours/Week of Time in Sedentary Behavior: Measured for 1961–2005, Forecasted for 2006–2030 Source: Multinational Time Use Studies v.5.52 (1961, 1983, 1987), and v.5.8 (1974, 1995, 2000, 2005); Applying the Compendium of Physical Activity MET-intensity values based on reported time spent across 41 MTUS coded activities and by occupation. Forecasting for 2006–2030 based on 1961–2005 slopes.

Figure 3

Brazilian Adults MET-hours Per Week of All Physical Activity, and Hours/Week of Time in Sedentary Behavior: Measured for 2002–2007, Forecasted for 2009–2030 Source: Occupational PA based on 2002–2007 UN-ILO statistics applying MET-intensity values from the Compendium of PA. Active Leisure measure is from Sao Paolo, Brazil Physical Activity Study; applying the following MET-intensity value following the IPAQ guidelines: walking = 3.3 MET/hr; moderate only = 4 METs/hr; vigorous only = 8 METs/hr. All other energy expenditure and sedentary time values are estimated from applying the average activity measures found in the US and China from periods of similar economic development (based on per capita GDP PPP) for each of these countries (2002 Brazil to 1975 US and 2006 China; 2008 Brazil to 1985 US and 2009 China). Forecasting for 2009–2030 based on 2002–2007 slopes.

Figure 4

Chinese Adults MET-hours Per Week of All Physical Activity, and Hours/Week of Time in Sedentary Behavior: Measured for 1991–2009, Forecasted for 2010–2030 Source: China Health and Nutrition Surveys 1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2009; Applying Compendium of Physical Activity MET-intensity values based on reported time spent in various activity sub-domains and by occupation. Forecasting for 2010–2030 is based on moving averages.

Figure 5

Indian Adults MET-hours Per Week of All Physical Activity, and Hours/Week of Time in Sedentary Behavior: Measured for 2000–2005, Forecasted for 2006–2030 Source: Occupational PA based on 2000–2005 UN-ILO statistics applying the following MET-intensity values based on proportion of population residing in urban vs. rural areas based on past research estimating the energy expenditure for specific activities in India across different populations. All other energy expenditure and sedentary time values are estimated from applying the average activity measures found in China from periods of similar economic development (based on per capita GDP PPP) for each of these countries (2000 India to 1995 China; 2005 India to 2000 China). Forecasting for 2006–2030 based on 2000–2005 slopes. Active Leisure PA ▭ Travel PA Domestic PA Occupational PA ▬ Sedentary Time