Trends in sedentary behaviour and associated factors among adults in Mongolia: results from national cross-sectional surveys in 2009, 2013 and 2019

Objective The study aimed to evaluate trends in the prevalence and correlates of sedentary behaviour (SB) in people aged 15-64 years from 2009 to 2019 in Mongolia. Design Repeat population-based cross-sectional study. Setting Nationally representative sample of persons living in the general community aged 15-64 years in Mongolia. Participants The sample included 17 780 people (15-64 years) who participated in Mongolia STEPS surveys 2009, 2013 or 2019. Primary and secondary outcome measures: self-reported SB, along with physical measurements, health status and health behaviour, and sociodemographic covariates. Multinomial logistic regression calculated OR with 95% CI for moderate and high SB, with low SB as reference category. Results Across study years, the proportion of low (<4 hours) SB was 62.3%, moderate (4-<8 hours) SB was 26.4% and high (>= 8 hours) SB was 11.3%. Compared to the survey year 2009, in the survey years 2013 and 2019, high SB increased significantly, while moderate SB increased in the survey year 2013 but not in 2019. Urban residence was positively associated with moderate and high SB. Male sex and higher education were positively associated with moderate SB. Current tobacco use, current heavy alcohol use, and obesity class II were positively and high physical activity was negatively associated with moderate and/or high SB. Belonging to the Khalkha ethnic group and hypertension increased the odds of moderate or high SB in 2019 and 2013, respectively. Age, higher number of adults household members and inadequate fruit and vegetable intake were not associated with moderate or high SB. Conclusion More than 1 in 10 people aged 15 years and older engaged in high SB. Several sociodemographic and health variables associated with moderate and/or high SB were identified that can help guide public interventions.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and correlates of sedentary behavior in Mongolia from 2009 to 2019. The results showed an increase in high sedentary behavior over the years, while moderate sedentary behavior increased in 2013 but not in 2019. Factors such as gender, education level, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and obesity were positively associated with moderate and/or high sedentary behavior.