Health Effects of Reducing Sedentary Behavior

Health Effects of Reducing Sedentary Behavior

A recent review indicated that sedentary behavior has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality but the intervention studies frequently focus only on changing sedentary behavior (reducing sedentary time) without measuring health-associated outcomes. Elevated cortisol (related to stress) has been linked with health risks. Improved physical fitness has been linked with improved cortisol responses to psychosocial stressors. In addition, increased physical activity induced favorable effects upon low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol. Previous study also indicated that increasing daily steps have positive effect on blood glucose in people with impaired glucose tolerance. Ultimately, the investigators think that sedentary intervention and stress management may have benefits on these health indicators. As such the investigators will examine whether sedentary intervention or stress management can have positive effect on human health by measuring salivary cortisol, blood lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, blood pressure, resting energy expenditure, and body composition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age: 18-65 years.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable/unwilling to provide informed consent.
• Having mobility impairment.
• Current severe untreated depression (i.e., score in the severe depression range on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; HADS).
• Women who are pregnant or nursing.
• Currently smoking (within last 12 months).
• Currently use medications that affect salivary cortisol level (i.e. prednisone, dexamethasone).
• Have been diagnosed Addison's disease.