Trend-data of domain-specific sitting time in Germany between 2014 and 2023

Background: Sedentary behavior, including prolonged sitting, is a significant global public health issue. However, comprehensive population-wide trend data on sitting time are scarce, hindering effective monitoring of temporal changes.
Purpose: This study aimed to explore the trends of overall and domain-specific sitting time among the German population between 2014 and 2023.
Methods: The data were obtained from a series of cross-sectional telephone surveys conducted in Germany among adults aged 18 or above in the years 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, and 2023. Participants completed the domain-specific Marshall sitting questionnaire, reporting sitting time during travel, work, television viewing, leisure computer use, and other leisure activities. Descriptive analyses were conducted, including 95% confidence intervals.
Results: Mean overall sitting time increased from 460.3 min / day [CI: 452.8 – 467.8 min / day] in 2014 to 554.2 min / day [546.3 – 562.1 min / day] in 2023. The most notable increases were observed in sitting time during work from 135.5 min/ day [129.7 – 141.3 min / day] in 2014 to 205.4 min / day [198.4 – 212.3 min / day] in 2023 and in leisure-time computer use rising from 57.0 min / day [54.4 – 59.6 min / day] in 2014 to 83.0 min / day [80.0 – 86.1 min / day] in 2023.
Conclusions: Cross-sectional trend data from Germany indicate a substantial increase in overall sitting time from 2014 to 2023, predominantly driven by work-related and leisure computer sitting. These findings underscore the urgent need for interventions and strategies to reduce domain-specific sitting time and promote physical activity.
Practical implications: Effective interventions and strategies are increasingly necessary to mitigate the rise in overall and domain-specific sitting time.
Funding: ERGO Health insurance funded the data acquisition and the data analyses.