Post-COVID-19 Total and Domain-specific Sedentary Behaviors in Saudi Adults

Abstract

Objectives: Although previous research reported prevalence of sedentary behavior (SB) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of SB in the post-COVID-19 era remains unexplored. Prevalence, patterns, and determinants of post-COVID-19 total SB, and domain-specific SB in Saudi adults was examined. Methods: Participants (N=1,255; 55% females; 50% aged 20 to 29 years old) completed a Web-based survey (December 2, 2022 ‐ January 25, 2023). The Arabic version of the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire estimated SBs (hours/day) during weekdays and weekend days. Respondents self-reported personal, anthropometric, and socioeconomical variables. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests assessed patterns of total and domain-specific SB and Kruskal-Wallis tests evaluated its determinants. Results: Most participants (54.7%) spent excessive time (≥8 hours/day) in total SB especially during weekdays (p<.001). Leisure-time SB was higher compared to other domain-specific SB (p<.001). Occupational-time SB was higher on weekdays while leisure-time SB was higher during weekends days (p<.001). No statistically significant differences were found for transportational-time SB. Age and occupation were the main determinants of SB (p<.005) while other correlates had more complex associations. Conclusions: Current efforts to reduce SB and suggest that Saudi policymakers, physicians, and researchers target not only daily total SB, but also domain-specific SB, especially in the post-COVID-19 era.