Office Workers' Objectively Measured Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity During and Outside Working Hours

Objective: To examine objectively determined sedentary behavior and physical activity (PA) during and outside working hours in full-time office workers. Methods: A total of 170 participants wore an ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer for 7 days. Time spent sedentary (<100 counts/min), in light-intensity PA (100 to 1951 counts/min), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (1952 counts/min) was calculated for workdays (including working hours and nonworking hours) and nonworkdays. Results: Participants accumulated significantly higher levels of sedentary behavior (68% vs 60%) and lower levels of light-intensity activity (28% vs 36%) on workdays in comparison with nonworkdays. Up to 71% of working hours were spent sedentary. Individuals who were most sedentary at work were also more sedentary outside work. Conclusions: Those who are most sedentary at work do not compensate by increasing their PA or reducing their sedentary time outside work. Occupational interventions should address workplace and leisure-time sedentary behavior.