Background
Sedentary behavior is associated with several adverse health outcomes. Data on factors that influence sedentary behavior are lacking in Bhutan. This study examined factors associated with increased sedentary behavior in Bhutan, with a focus on exploring sex differences.
Methods
Data of 2,796 adults from the nationally representative 2014 Bhutan STEP-wise surveillance (STEPS) survey were analyzed. Factors associated with sedentary behavior were identified using backward elimination multiple logistic regression analysis, disaggregated by sex. The analysis accounted for the complex survey design used in the primary survey.
Results
The overall prevalence of sedentary behavior was 8.2%, with a higher proportion among women than men (10.3% vs. 4.9%). In the full sample, female sex, being single, high education and income, urban residence, inadequate physical activity, and high blood sugar were associated with increased odds of sedentary behavior. Among females, those who had high education and income, were single, physically less active, and urban residents were more likely to be sedentary. Self-employment was related to reduced odds of sedentary behavior among women and in the overall sample population. In males, being single, higher education level, and urban residence were associated with sedentariness.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that interventions targeting females, especially those who are physically less active and from higher socioeconomic groups, urban residents, and those with hyperglycemia can potentially help reduce sedentary behavior and avert the associated detrimental impacts.

Citations

• High sedentary behavior and low physical activity among adults in Afghanistan: results from a national cross-sectional survey
  Supa Pengpid, Ahmad Siyar Noormal, Karl Peltzer
  Frontiers in Public Health.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Status of Sedentary Time and Physical Activity of Rural Residents: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study in Eastern China
  Jiayuan Wang, Ya Wang, Mallikarjuna Korivi, Xi Chen, Rong Zhu
  Frontiers in Public Health.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Trends in sedentary behaviour and associated factors among adults in Mongolia: results from national cross-sectional surveys in 2009, 2013 and 2019
  Supa Pengpid, Karl Peltzer
  BMJ Open.2022; 12(6): e058330.     CrossRef
• Current status of health promotion in Korea
  Soo Young Kim
  Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 776.     CrossRef