INTRODUCTION TO SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR

Lee Smith; Mark A. Tully

doi:10.4324/9781003380702-2

INTRODUCTION TO SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR

Lee Smith
, Mark A. Tully

Anglia Ruskin University

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

Broadly speaking, sedentary behaviour is defined as any waking behaviour where the energy expenditure is low and the predominant posture is sitting, reclining, or lying, with the exception of sleeping. The current working definition of sedentary behaviour used by researchers, clinicians, and practitioners is “any waking behavior characterized by an energy expenditure ≤1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs), while in a sitting, reclining or lying posture”. 1 There are multiple domains of sedentary behaviour that can be conceptualised with varying parameters, but they predominantly include occupational or classroom time, passive travel, screen time, and other passive leisure pursuits (e.g. reading, board games, listening to music).

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Routledge Handbook of Sedentary Behaviour
Publisher	Taylor and Francis Ltd.
Chapter	1
Pages	3-4
Number of pages	2
Edition	1st
ISBN (Electronic)	9781040490297
ISBN (Print)	9781032462370
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003380702-2
Publication status	Published (in print/issue) - 1 Jan 2026

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2026 selection and editorial matter, Lee Smith and Mark A. Tully; individual chapters, the contributors. All rights reserved.

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10.4324/9781003380702-2

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INTRODUCTION TO SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR

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