Study Diary "Sedentary Mood Study"

The following article begins a "Sedentary Behavior Studies" series, in which we'll detail the study process from conception through to results. We'll focus on the link between sedentary behavior and mood. But first, we need to address an important point.

Why research sedentary behavior?

"Whoever sits longer dies younger" and "Sitting is the new smoking". These headlines come from recent behavioral and health related studies. Due to such conclusions sedentary behavior demands the attention of researchers, and the general public looks on with interest. As the understanding of sedentary behavior and it's consequences develops, further research appears illustrating its adverse effects on cardiovascular health, metabolic and muscular parameters, and it's dire risk for overall physical health (Owen et al., 2010, p.3).

Despite these findings, there's little research on the effect of sedentary behavior on psychological health. Preliminary findings indicate a possible connection between the two. As Fuchs et al. suggest (2015. p. 7) "Sitting changes the activity of metabolism and therefore it doesn´t seem absurd, that this can also influence the psychological processes." If the link between sedentary behaviour and adverse psychological health exists, understanding it would prove valuable in the fight against psychosomatic diseases.

"How do we measure sedentary behavior and mood?" ... to be continued in the next articles