The amount of time U.S. adults spend sitting increased from 5.7 hours per day in 2007-08 to 6.4 hours per day in 2015-16, according to a study published July 26 in JAMA Network Open.
The study's researchers analyzed data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2007 to 2016, which included 27,343 adults age 18 and older. They examined survey participants' adherence to the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity activity, 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity activity, or an equivalent combination of the two.
While time spent sitting increased, the researchers found no significant corresponding uptick in participants' physical activity. Adherence to the PAG's guidelines on physical activity increased by only a small amount, from 63.2 percent of participants in 2007-08 to 65.2 percent in 2015-16.
The study's authors recommend ramping up national efforts to encourage physical activity and reduce time spent sitting.