Research
Adherence
There is insufficient evidence to set specific, quantified (time-based) recommendations for total sedentary time.
Do not worry about hitting a specific number of sitting hours. Instead, focus on the general principle of limiting sedentary time and breaking up long periods of sitting with light movement. The exact threshold varies by individual and health outcome.
ModerateRefutesMEDIUM confidence
However, evidence was deemed insufficient at present to set quantified (time-based) recommendations for sedentary time.
Why this rating
Based on the GRADE assessment of the available systematic reviews.
Source
New global guidelines on sedentary behaviour and health for adults: broadening the behavioural targets
Paddy C. Dempsey et al. · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · 2020
DOI 10.1186/s12966-020-01044-0
clinical_guidelineCited 270×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Higher amounts of sedentary behavior are associated with increased risk of all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer mortality, as well as the incidence of CVD, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.Moderate
- High levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), specifically around 60-75 minutes per day, can largely mitigate the increased health risks associated with high sedentary behavior.Moderate
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →