The descriptive epidemiology of daily sitting time as a sedentary behavior in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Sedentary behavior is pervasive among the general population, but little is known about the epidemiology of this behavior in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: We compared self-reported sitting time (ST), as a measure of sedentary behavior, between persons with MS and healthy controls, and examined ST across demographic and clinical characteristics of those with MS.

Methods: 1081 persons with MS and 150 healthy controls self-reported ST based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and completed the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) and a demographic/clinical scale. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, bivariate correlations, and stepwise regression analysis.

Results: There was not a significant difference in ST between persons with MS and controls (F = 0.01, p = 0.95), and persons with MS reported 450.9 ± 220.6 min of ST per day. ST was weakly associated with GLTEQ scores in MS (r = -0.21, p < 0.001), but not controls. ST significantly differed as functions of marital status, physical activity level, employment status, education, and degree of ambulatory impairment among those with MS.

Conclusions: ST does not differ between persons with MS and healthy controls, but those with MS report a large amount of this sedentary behavior that is potentially an independent correlate of health and disease outcomes.