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. 2018 Mar 6;13(3):e0193812.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193812. eCollection 2018.

Taxonomy-based content analysis of sedentary behavior questionnaires: A systematic review

Fabien Rivière  1 , Salomé Aubert  2 , Abdou Yacoubou Omorou  1   3 , Barbara E Ainsworth  4 , Anne Vuillemin  1   5
Affiliations

Taxonomy-based content analysis of sedentary behavior questionnaires: A systematic review

Fabien Rivière et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Health effects of sedentary behaviors (SB) may vary depending on their characteristics such as type, purpose, duration, and intensity of the behavior. While a growing number of questionnaires assess sedentary behaviors, it is unclear which characteristics of SB are measured. The aim of this review was to examine the content of self-report SB questionnaires.

Methods: Three databases were searched for sedentary behavior questionnaires published before January 1st, 2016. Based on the inclusion criteria, 82 articles out of 1369 were retrieved for a total of 60 questionnaires. For each questionnaire, the sedentary behavior characteristics identified were reported and analyzed.

Results: Most of the questionnaires assessed the time (n = 60), posture (n = 54), purpose (n = 46) and the types (n = 45) of SB performed. Fewer questionnaires assessed the environment (n = 20) social context (n = 11), status (n = 2), and associated behaviors (n = 2) related to sedentary behaviors. All the questionnaires except two assessed time spent in SB with 17 assessing frequency and 6 assessing breaks in SB. The most frequent characteristics identified in the questionnaires were the categories of sitting (90%), a day (95%), watching television (65%) and using a computer (55%). Many characteristics of SB were not measured.

Conclusions: By knowing the breadth of SB included in questionnaires, this review provides support to shape the design of new questionnaires designed to reduce the gaps in measuring sedentary behaviors.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Taxonomy level one.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Taxonomy level one purpose and sublevels.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Flow chart.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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