Patterns and correlates of sedentary behavior and physical activity in individuals with Crohn’s disease: A cross-sectional study

Background Evidence suggests that being physically active could offer a range of benefits for people living with Crohn's disease. However, the extent to which physical activity may provide benefits in terms of quality of life, mental health, and well-being requires further elucidation. This study aimed to highlight patterns and explore the correlates of sedentary behavior and physical activity in individuals living with Crohn's disease. Methods Adults living with Crohn's disease from Ireland and the United Kingdom completed an online survey. Participants completed questions on: demographic characteristics; physical activity; sedentary behavior; Crohn's disease severity; quality of life; anxiety and depressive symptoms; and mental well-being. Multiple linear regression analysis explored the correlates of sedentary behavior and physical activity. Results One-hundred and eleven individuals (median age = 40.0 [31.0-48.0] years; 77% female) completed the survey. For sedentary behavior, median time was 9.14 (7.43-11.25) hours/day and the only significant correlate was age (β = -0.07, t(107) = -2.65, P = .01). For total physical activity, the quality of life physical health domain was the only significant correlate (β = 29.14, t(107)=2.53, P = .01). Conclusions Higher levels of sedentary behavior were associated with lower age, potentially due to the type of occupations of younger participants (ie, office-based jobs). Higher total physical activity levels were associated with higher quality of life physical health domain scores, which demonstrates the potential role physical activity might have in improving quality of life in individuals living with Crohn's disease. Both sedentary behavior and physical activity might be beneficial lifestyle variables to target for health improvement in this population.