Prevalence of Sedentary Behavior Among College Students in Guangdong Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Prevalence of Sedentary Behavior Among College Students in Guangdong Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Prevalence of Sedentary Behavior Among College Students in Guangdong Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study Xiaoyu TAO, Xuelan WU, Siying ZHUO, Jia FU, Ying XIAO, Yang ZHAO, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6465127/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 08 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 6 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Objective This study investigates the prevalence of sedentary behavior among college students in Guangdong Province, China, and identifies demographic factors associated with sedentary habits. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 253 college students using a structured questionnaire. Participants' sedentary behavior was assessed using the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ), with sedentary behavior defined as sitting for ≥ 7 hours per day. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results The majority of participants reported daily sitting times exceeding 10 hours, far surpassing the recommended threshold of 7 hours. Female students, those in lower academic years, and urban residents exhibited higher levels of sedentary behavior. Significant differences were observed in sedentary behavior based on academic year and place of residence, with senior students and those from rural areas reporting lower sitting times. Conclusion Sedentary behavior is common among college students in Guangdong, with gender, academic year, and residence influencing sitting time. Health sciences/Health care/Public health Health sciences/Health care/Public health/Epidemiology sedentary behavior college students cross-sectional study I. Introduction Sedentary behavior, defined as low-energy activities performed while seated or reclining, has emerged as an independent health risk factor in recent years. The rapid advancement of technology, while bringing significant benefits to transportation, communication, workplaces, and home entertainment, has inadvertently contributed to adverse health outcomes. Empirical evidence consistently demonstrates that prolonged sedentary behavior is strongly associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions, including obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome[1][2][3]. Furthermore, sedentary behavior has been implicated in elevated incidence rates of certain cancers, such as ovarian, colorectal, and endometrial cancers[3]. Despite extensive research into its health implications, the precise mechanisms and causal relationships underlying sedentary behavior remain under investigation. Current scholarship focuses on elucidating the associations between sedentary behavior and chronic diseases, exploring potential biological and behavioral pathways, and identifying effective strategies to mitigate sedentary time[4][2]. Among college students, sedentary behavior represents a critical public health concern. Evidence suggests that this population exhibits high levels of sedentary behavior, often exceeding recommended thresholds. A systematic review revealed that undergraduate students typically engage in over 11 hours of daily sedentary time, posing significant health risks[5]. Sedentary behavior not only impacts physical health but also extends to mental well-being and academic performance. Specifically, screen-based sedentary activities have been shown to correlate significantly with anxiety symptoms, whereas total sedentary time exhibits no such association[6]. Additionally, sedentary behavior is positively associated with depressive symptoms among college students, particularly when recreational screen time increases[7]. Physiological health indicators are also affected by sedentary behavior. Research indicates that sedentary time is linked to adverse changes in body composition among female students, with prolonged sedentary periods increasing the likelihood of obesity[8]. Furthermore, sedentary behavior constitutes an independent cardiovascular risk factor among college students, even when physical activity recommendations are met[9]. Guangdong Province, as one of China's most economically advanced regions, hosts a large number of universities and a substantial student population. These students face dual pressures from academic demands and urbanized lifestyles, potentially exacerbating sedentary behavior. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of sedentary behavior among college students in Guangdong Province through a cross-sectional survey. The findings will provide a scientific basis for developing targeted health interventions, thereby promoting healthier lifestyles and mitigating the adverse health effects associated with sedentary behavior. II. Methods 2.1 Research Design A cross-sectional research design was employed in this study to investigate the current status of sedentary behavior and its associated factors among college students in Guangdong Province. Data were collected through questionnaires to comprehensively understand the patterns of sedentary behavior and their association with demographic characteristics. 2.2 Sample Size Calculation The sample size was calculated using the cross-sectional study formula [10]: n = , where Z is the Z-value from the standard normal distribution corresponding to the desired confidence level (1.96 for a 95% confidence level), p is the expected proportion (approximately 70% based on prior studies), and e is the margin of error (set at 8%). Substituting the values into the formula yielded n≈248. 2.3 Study Subjects The study subjects were 253 college students from a university in Guangdong Province, including 125 females and 128 males. The participants covered various majors (Literature, Arts, Business and Economics, Medicine, Science and Engineering) and different academic years (freshman to fifth-year students). Individuals who were unable to complete the questionnaire due to health reasons were excluded from the study. 2.4 Sampling Method A multi-stage sampling method was employed in this study. In the first stage, several colleges were randomly selected from all colleges in Guangdong Province, based on college size and major distribution. In the second stage, several classes were randomly selected within the chosen colleges. In the third stage, a certain number of students were randomly selected within the chosen classes, based on student ID numbers, to ensure the representativeness and diversity of the sample. 2.5 Data Collection Data collection was conducted in March 2025 using a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included components such as demographic information (gender, major, academic year, vacation residence, smoking status, and drinking status), body mass index (BMI) calculated using self-reported height and weight and categorized according to the World Health Organization standards[11], and sedentary behavior assessed using the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ) to record sitting time on weekdays and weekends[12], with sedentary behavior defined as sitting for ≥7 hours per day[13]. 2.6 Variable Definition The dependent variable was sedentary behavior (sitting time ≥7 hours/day), while the independent variables included demographic characteristics (gender, major, academic year, vacation residence, smoking status, drinking status) and BMI categories. 2.7 Data Analysis Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each variable, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Chi-square tests were used to compare differences in BMI categories across demographic characteristics. t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to compare differences in sitting time across groups, with the LSD (Least Significant Difference) method used for post-hoc tests if the ANOVA showed significant differences. All statistical tests were set at a significance level of P < 0.05. 2.8 Research Ethics This study was approved by the institutional ethics committee of the affiliated institution, with the ethics approval number MUST-FMD-20231114001. Informed consent was obtained from all participants before data collection, ensuring they fully understood the study purpose and process and participated voluntarily. III. Results 3.1 Demographic Characteristics The study included 253 participants, with 125 females and 128 males. Nearly 20% of participants majored in Medical and the mean value of BMI of the students population was within normal range (22.12 ± 3.20 kg/m 2 ). The details as shown in Table 1 . The majority participants had a normal BMI, but 26.5% were classified as overweight or obese. There was a significant difference in BMI categories between genders ( P <0.001) and smoking status ( P =0.010). Male students had a higher prevalence of being underweight. No significant difference in BMI categories were found based on academic specialty. The details as shown in Table 2 . 3.2 Participants’ Sedentary behavior 3.2.1Overview of Sitting Time by Participant Characteristics Notably, except for fifth-year students, all subgroups reported prolonged sitting time, with total, weekday, and weekend sitting durations exceeding 10 hours. Additionally, the proportion of students with sitting time ≥7 hours/day was high across all groups, consistently surpassing 70%. Detailed are presented in Table 3 . 3.2.2 Total Sitting Time Significant differences were observed in grade ( P =0.004) and vacation residence ( P < 0.001). Specifically, Fifth-year undergraduate reported significantly lower total sitting time compared to all other grades, as confirmed by post-hoc analysis ( P <0.05). No significant differences were found across other characteristics. These findings are further detailed in Table 4 . 3.2.3 Weekday Sitting Time Comparative analyses of weekday sitting time revealed significant differences across grade ( P = 0.007) and vacation residence ( P < 0.001), based on t-tests and one-way ANOVA with LSD post-hoc tests. Similar to total sitting time, Fifth-year undergraduate students reported significantly lower weekday sitting time compared to students in other academic years . No statistically significant differences were found across other participant characteristics. The results are summarized in Table 5 . 3.2.4 Weekend Sitting Time Significant differences in weekend sitting time were observed across grade ( P =0.009), as indicated by ANOVA with LSD post-hoc tests. Specifically, Sophomore reported significantly higher weekend sitting time compared to Junior, Senior, and Fifth-year undergraduate students.No significant differences were found for other participant characteristics. Results are shown in Table 6 . IV. Discussion Research findings indicate that university students exhibit pervasive and prolonged sedentary behavior, with both weekday and weekend durations surpassing the recommended threshold of 7 hours per day. For instance, a study involving German national elite rowers revealed that their average sedentary time during non-training periods was 11.63 hours on weekdays and 12.49 hours on weekends[ 14 ]. Similarly, empirical evidence demonstrates a significant correlation between sedentary behavior in university students and health-related risk factors, particularly during weekends[ 15 ]. Furthermore, academic schedules have been shown to significantly influence sedentary behavior and physical activity patterns. Specifically, each additional hour of class time corresponds to a 9-minute increase in sedentary behavior, while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity only increases by 54 seconds[ 16 ]. These findings underscore the imperative of reducing sedentary behavior among university students and advocate for intervention strategies that account for academic schedules and weekend activities. Research also highlights gender disparities in sedentary behavior, with female students exhibiting longer sedentary durations than their male counterparts, potentially attributable to divergent lifestyle patterns and study habits. A study employing accelerometer-based measurements investigated the association between total sedentary time and anxiety symptoms. Although no significant correlation was observed between total sedentary time and anxiety, screen-based sedentary activities, such as extended television viewing and social media usage, were significantly associated with elevated anxiety symptoms[ 17 ]. This suggests that female students may be more susceptible to the adverse psychological effects of screen-based sedentary behavior. Additionally, gender-specific responses to mindfulness training reveal that females exhibit greater reductions in negative emotions and enhancements in mindfulness and self-compassion following such interventions[ 18 ]. This indicates that mindfulness practices may serve as an effective strategy for mitigating the psychological repercussions of sedentary behavior in female students. Analysis of sedentary behavior across academic years reveals that senior students (e.g., fifth-year students) exhibit significantly lower sedentary durations compared to their junior counterparts. This trend may be attributable to increased participation in extracurricular activities and internships among senior students[ 19 ]. Geospatial variations further influence sedentary behavior, with urban students demonstrating longer sedentary durations than rural students. This disparity may stem from reduced recreational spaces in urban environments and a faster-paced lifestyle that predisposes students to static leisure activities[ 20 ]. Moreover, urban students exhibit higher physical activity levels on weekends but reduced activity during weekdays, likely due to academic pressures and transportation constraints[ 20 ]. The relationship between sedentary behavior and health-risk behaviors such as smoking and hazardous drinking has garnered significant attention. Sedentary behavior is consistently associated with adverse health outcomes, including poor mental health, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, with heightened risks observed among individuals with hazardous drinking habits[ 21 ]. Among adolescents, sedentary behavior prevalence reaches up to 58.1%, correlating with factors such as age, socioeconomic status, maternal education, rural residence, insufficient physical activity, alcohol experimentation, and adolescent overweight[ 22 ]. These findings accentuate the necessity of promoting physical activity among youth to mitigate sedentary behavior and its associated health risks. Notwithstanding these insights, the study possesses certain limitations. First, the cross-sectional design precludes definitive causal inferences between sedentary behavior and health risks. Sedentary behavior is a multifaceted phenomenon influenced by psychological factors (e.g., depression and life satisfaction), cognitive and motivational factors (e.g., attitudes, social support, and self-efficacy), and sociodemographic factors (e.g., socioeconomic status and occupational type)[ 23 ][ 24 ][ 25 ]. Second, the study sample was restricted to a single university in Guangdong Province, potentially limiting generalizability. Future research should expand sampling frameworks to encompass diverse geographical and institutional contexts, thereby enhancing the external validity of findings. V. Conclusion This cross-sectional study reveals the prevalence and correlates of sedentary behavior among college students in Guangdong Province, showing that most students engage in over 10 hours of daily sedentary time, significantly exceeding the recommended 7-hour threshold and being closely associated with factors such as gender, academic year, and place of residence. Notably, female students, those in lower academic years, and urban residents exhibited higher levels of sedentary behavior, reflecting challenges in promoting healthy lifestyles. The study highlights the detrimental effects of sedentary behavior on physical health (e.g., obesity and cardiovascular risk) and mental well-being, advocating for health education, improved sports facilities, and active lifestyle promotion to reduce sedentary time. However, the cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and the relatively small sample size may restrict generalizability. Future research should expand sampling frameworks and investigate the nuanced impacts of different types of sedentary behavior to further inform health management strategies for college students. Declarations Conflicts of Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Funding This research received no external funding. Author Contribution Xiaoyu TAO: Conceptualization, methodology, data collection, formal analysis, writing—original draft preparation, and supervision.Xuelan WU: Data collection, formal analysis, and writing—review and editing.Siying ZHUO: Data collection, investigation, and resources.Jia FU: Formal analysis, visualization, and writing—review and editing.Ying XIAO: Supervision and project administration.Yang ZHAO: Investigation, data curation, and resources.Junfeng LIAO: Methodology, software, and writing—review and editing.Tian ZHONG: Supervision and project administration. Acknowledgement Not applicable. Data Availability Data is provided within the related files. References Dempsey Paddy, C. et al. Managing sedentary behavior to reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Curr. Diab. Rep. (2014). 5.2. Owen Neville. Sedentary behavior: understanding and influencing adults prolonged sitting time. Prev. Med. (2012). 4.3. De Rezende Leandro Fornias Machado. 2.9Rodrigues Lopes Maurício, ReyLópez Juan Pablo, et al: Sedentary behavior and health outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews. PLOS ONE (2014). Dempsey Paddy, C. et al. Sedentary Behavior and Chronic Disease: Mechanisms and Future Directions. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH 2019 2.9. Moulin Marc, S. et al. Sedentary time among undergraduate students: A systematic review (JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH, 2019). 1.6. Huang Tao, Z. et al. Screen-based sedentary behaviors but not total sedentary time are associated with anxiety among college students. Front. PUBLIC. HEALTH 3 (2022). Zehan, X. et al. Sedentary behaviors negatively related to depressive symptoms in college students: The roles of type and duration of sedentary behaviors. PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR 2024 2.4. Vainshelboim Baruch, Brennan Gabrielle, M. et al. Sedentary behavior and physiological health determinants in male and female college students. PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR 2019 2.4 Same Robert, V. et al. Relationship Between Sedentary Behavior and Cardiovascular Risk. Curr. Cardiol. Rep. (2015). 3.1. Chow, S. C., Shao, J. & Wang, H. Sample size calculation in clinical research (Marcel Dekker, 2008). Kurisu, S. Nitta Kazuhiro,Sumimoto Yoji,et al: Frontal QRS-T angle and World Health Organization classification for body mass index (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY, 2018). Rosenberg, D. E. et al. Reliability and validity of the sedentary behavior questionnaire (SBQ) for adults. J. Phys. Act. Health . 7 (6), 697–705. 10.1123/jpah.7.6.697 (2010). Riquelme-Gallego, B. et al. Circulating Undercarboxylated Osteocalcin as Estimator of Cardiovascular and Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Metabolic Syndrome Patients. Sci. Rep. 10 (1), 1840 (2020). Sperlich Billy, B. et al. Sedentary Behavior among National Elite Rowers during Off-Training-A Pilot Study. FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY 2017 3.2. Witzel Nadine, I. et al. [Sedentary Behavior and the health of adolescents]. DEUTSCHE MEDIZINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT 2016 0.6. Chim, H. Q. et al. Academic Schedule and Day-to-Day Variations in Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity of University Students (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH, 2020). 4.614. Huang Tao, Z. et al. Screen-based sedentary behaviors but not total sedentary time are associated with anxiety among college students. Front. PUBLIC. HEALTH 3 (2022). Rojiani Rahil, Santoyo Juan, F. et al. Women Benefit More Than Men in Response to College-based Meditation Training. FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY 2017 2.6. Small Meg, L. & Waterman Emily, A. Time Use During First Year of College Predicts Participation in High-Impact Activities During Later Years (JOURNAL OF COLLEGE STUDENT DEVELOPMENT, 2017). MachadoRodrigues Aristides, M. et al. Urban-rural contrasts in fitness, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour in adolescents. Health Promot. Int. (2012). 2.3. Vancampfort Davy, S. et al. Correlates of sedentary behaviour among adults with hazardous drinking habits in six low- and middle-income countries. Psychiatry Res. (2018). 4.2. Dias Paula Jaudy Pedroso et al. Ferreira Márcia Gonçalves, Prevalence and factors associated with sedentary behavior in adolescents. REVISTA DE SAUDE PUBLICA : 2.1 (2014). de 1.4Oliveira Daniel Vicentini, do Nascimento Matheus Amarante, Branco Bráulio Henrique Magnani, et al: Psychological Factors Predicting Sedentary Behavior of Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil. JOURNAL OF AGING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (2020). Rollo Scott, G. & Anca Prapavessis Harry: Cognitive and Motivational Factors Associated with Sedentary Behavior: A Systematic Review. AIMS PUBLIC. HEALTH (2018). 3.1. Buck Christoph, L. et al. Factors influencing sedentary behaviour: A system based analysis using Bayesian networks within DEDIPAC. PLOS ONE 2019 2.9. Tables Tables 1 to 6 are available in the Supplementary Files section. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files Tables.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 08 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Reviewers agreed at journal 20 May, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 20 May, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 13 May, 2025 Editor invited by journal 23 Apr, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 23 Apr, 2025 First submitted to journal 16 Apr, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6465127","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":459560609,"identity":"5721ae5a-83b3-4129-95d1-05c59b0bdcf6","order_by":0,"name":"Xiaoyu TAO","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Macau University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Xiaoyu","middleName":"","lastName":"TAO","suffix":""},{"id":459560610,"identity":"50d2c4d6-80c9-43ed-bf3b-5fd50f296d23","order_by":1,"name":"Xuelan WU","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Macau University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Xuelan","middleName":"","lastName":"WU","suffix":""},{"id":459560611,"identity":"8f4984a3-d45a-47a1-b8dd-dc8d0ec13554","order_by":2,"name":"Siying ZHUO","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Zhuhai College of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Siying","middleName":"","lastName":"ZHUO","suffix":""},{"id":459560612,"identity":"35602ea5-4ab1-4264-ae2a-0502abb4ac6d","order_by":3,"name":"Jia FU","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Zhuhai College of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jia","middleName":"","lastName":"FU","suffix":""},{"id":459560613,"identity":"ecdebdab-cc81-4523-88ad-2de66b8eaebb","order_by":4,"name":"Ying XIAO","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Macau University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ying","middleName":"","lastName":"XIAO","suffix":""},{"id":459560614,"identity":"628fc0e0-6d5a-455f-af57-afd8aed542dd","order_by":5,"name":"Yang ZHAO","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Zhuhai College of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Yang","middleName":"","lastName":"ZHAO","suffix":""},{"id":459560615,"identity":"b2febc1d-ce39-43ed-84f6-f8623f4c77f1","order_by":6,"name":"Junfeng LIAO","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Macao university of Tourism","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Junfeng","middleName":"","lastName":"LIAO","suffix":""},{"id":459560616,"identity":"b3e8bbb0-9c91-46b0-9b6c-ea471eaa1af9","order_by":7,"name":"Tian ZHONG","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAyklEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACHhBhA+WwEaUBrCUNiJlJ03KYBC32/GcPPi74dT7a4Pz5Awwfyg4z6LY3ELLlXLLxzL7buRtuJDMwzjh3mMHszAECWhh7zKR5e0BamBmYeduAWm4kENDCzAPSci53w/nDDMx/idLCBtTC8+NA7oYDyQzMjERpOcNjbMzbkJw780aywcGec+k8BP3C3n/G8DHPH7vcvvMHHz74UWYtZ3a8Ab8WMGBsg9Ag43mIUA8Cf4hUNwpGwSgYBSMTAAAvg0PIYaOEOwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Macau University of Science and Technology","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Tian","middleName":"","lastName":"ZHONG","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-04-16 15:53:19","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6465127/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6465127/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-19018-2","type":"published","date":"2025-10-08T15:56:58+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":93419818,"identity":"83c659c7-9923-4b4f-a322-32a21622ff3c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-10-13 16:08:00","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":573329,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6465127/v1/4c81eb98-ec52-4762-b977-b201c14e35d2.pdf"},{"id":83308573,"identity":"3392b5ec-6463-4e92-9d78-1645eedd5872","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-05-22 17:31:30","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":27304,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Tables.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6465127/v1/d6e32173f1be6a0daa588ff5.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Prevalence of Sedentary Behavior Among College Students in Guangdong Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study","fulltext":[{"header":"I. Introduction","content":"Sedentary behavior, defined as low-energy activities performed while seated or reclining, has emerged as an independent health risk factor in recent years. The rapid advancement of technology, while bringing significant benefits to transportation, communication, workplaces, and home entertainment, has inadvertently contributed to adverse health outcomes. Empirical evidence consistently demonstrates that prolonged sedentary behavior is strongly associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions, including obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome[1][2][3]. Furthermore, sedentary behavior has been implicated in elevated incidence rates of certain cancers, such as ovarian, colorectal, and endometrial cancers[3]. Despite extensive research into its health implications, the precise mechanisms and causal relationships underlying sedentary behavior remain under investigation. Current scholarship focuses on elucidating the associations between sedentary behavior and chronic diseases, exploring potential biological and behavioral pathways, and identifying effective strategies to mitigate sedentary time[4][2].\nAmong college students, sedentary behavior represents a critical public health concern. Evidence suggests that this population exhibits high levels of sedentary behavior, often exceeding recommended thresholds. A systematic review revealed that undergraduate students typically engage in over 11 hours of daily sedentary time, posing significant health risks[5]. Sedentary behavior not only impacts physical health but also extends to mental well-being and academic performance. Specifically, screen-based sedentary activities have been shown to correlate significantly with anxiety symptoms, whereas total sedentary time exhibits no such association[6]. Additionally, sedentary behavior is positively associated with depressive symptoms among college students, particularly when recreational screen time increases[7].\nPhysiological health indicators are also affected by sedentary behavior. Research indicates that sedentary time is linked to adverse changes in body composition among female students, with prolonged sedentary periods increasing the likelihood of obesity[8]. Furthermore, sedentary behavior constitutes an independent cardiovascular risk factor among college students, even when physical activity recommendations are met[9].\nGuangdong Province, as one of China's most economically advanced regions, hosts a large number of universities and a substantial student population. These students face dual pressures from academic demands and urbanized lifestyles, potentially exacerbating sedentary behavior. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of sedentary behavior among college students in Guangdong Province through a cross-sectional survey. The findings will provide a scientific basis for developing targeted health interventions, thereby promoting healthier lifestyles and mitigating the adverse health effects associated with sedentary behavior.\n"},{"header":"II. Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.1 Research Design\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cross-sectional research design was employed in this study to investigate the current status of sedentary behavior and its associated factors among college students in Guangdong Province. Data were collected through questionnaires to comprehensively understand the patterns of sedentary behavior and their association with demographic characteristics.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.2 Sample Size Calculation\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sample size was calculated using the cross-sectional study formula [10]:\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003en\u003c/em\u003e=\u003cimg width=\"57\" height=\"30\" src=\"blob:https://wordtohtml.net/15d2e1c2-42c4-4d0f-94a1-9b7414a26f86\" alt=\"image\"\u003e, where Z is the Z-value from the standard normal distribution corresponding to the desired confidence level (1.96 for a 95% confidence level),\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e is the expected proportion (approximately 70% based on prior studies), and e is the margin of error (set at 8%). Substituting the values into the formula yielded n\u0026asymp;248.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.3 Study Subjects\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study subjects were 253 college students from a university in Guangdong Province, including 125 females and 128 males. The participants covered various majors (Literature, Arts, Business and Economics, Medicine, Science and Engineering) and different academic years (freshman to fifth-year students). Individuals who were unable to complete the questionnaire due to health reasons were excluded from the study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.4 Sampling Method\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA multi-stage sampling method was employed in this study. In the first stage, several colleges were randomly selected from all colleges in Guangdong Province, based on college size and major distribution. In the second stage, several classes were randomly selected within the chosen colleges. In the third stage, a certain number of students were randomly selected within the chosen classes, based on student ID numbers, to ensure the representativeness and diversity of the sample.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.5 Data Collection\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData collection was conducted in March 2025 using a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included components such as demographic information (gender, major, academic year, vacation residence, smoking status, and drinking status), body mass index (BMI) calculated using self-reported height and weight and categorized according to the World Health Organization standards[11], and sedentary behavior assessed using the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ) to record sitting time on weekdays and weekends[12], with sedentary behavior defined as sitting for \u0026ge;7 hours per day[13].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.6 Variable Definition\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dependent variable was sedentary behavior (sitting time \u0026ge;7 hours/day), while the independent variables included demographic characteristics (gender, major, academic year, vacation residence, smoking status, drinking status) and BMI categories.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.7 Data Analysis\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each variable, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Chi-square tests were used to compare differences in BMI categories across demographic characteristics. t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to compare differences in sitting time across groups, with the LSD (Least Significant Difference) method used for post-hoc tests if the ANOVA showed significant differences. All statistical tests were set at a significance level of\u0026nbsp;\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.05.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e2.8 Research Ethics\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was approved by the institutional ethics committee of the affiliated institution, with the ethics approval number MUST-FMD-20231114001. Informed consent was obtained from all participants before data collection, ensuring they fully understood the study purpose and process and participated voluntarily.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"III. Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.1 Demographic Characteristics\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe study included 253 participants, with 125 females and 128 males. Nearly 20% of participants majored in Medical and the mean value of BMI of the students population was within normal range (22.12 ± 3.20 kg/m\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e). The details as shown in\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eTable 1\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe majority participants had a normal BMI, but 26.5% were classified as overweight or obese. There was a significant difference in BMI categories between genders (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.001) and smoking status (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e=0.010). Male students had a higher prevalence of being underweight. No significant difference in BMI categories were found based on academic specialty. The details as shown in\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eTable 2\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.2 Participants’ Sedentary behavior\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.2.1Overview of Sitting Time by Participant Characteristics\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotably, except for fifth-year students, all subgroups reported prolonged sitting time, with total, weekday, and weekend sitting durations exceeding 10 hours. Additionally, the proportion of students with sitting time ≥7 hours/day was high across all groups, consistently surpassing 70%. Detailed \u0026nbsp;are presented in\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eTable 3\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.2.2 Total Sitting Time\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSignificant differences were observed in grade (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e=0.004) and vacation residence (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.001). Specifically, Fifth-year undergraduate reported significantly lower total sitting time compared to all other grades, as confirmed by post-hoc analysis (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e\u0026lt;0.05). No significant differences were found across other characteristics. These findings are further detailed in \u003cstrong\u003eTable 4\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.2.3 Weekday Sitting Time\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComparative analyses of weekday sitting time revealed significant differences across \u003cstrong\u003egrade\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp; (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e = 0.007) and \u003cstrong\u003evacation residence\u003c/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e \u0026lt; 0.001), based on t-tests and one-way ANOVA with LSD post-hoc tests. Similar to total sitting time, Fifth-year undergraduate students\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;reported significantly lower weekday sitting time compared to students in other academic years\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e.\u003c/strong\u003e No statistically significant differences were found across other participant characteristics. The results are summarized in\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eTable 5\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3.2.4 Weekend Sitting Time\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSignificant differences in weekend sitting time were observed across grade (\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e =0.009), as indicated by ANOVA with LSD post-hoc tests. Specifically, Sophomore\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;reported significantly higher weekend sitting time compared to\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eJunior, Senior, and Fifth-year undergraduate students.No significant differences were found for other participant characteristics. Results are shown in \u003cstrong\u003eTable 6\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"IV. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eResearch findings indicate that university students exhibit pervasive and prolonged sedentary behavior, with both weekday and weekend durations surpassing the recommended threshold of 7 hours per day. For instance, a study involving German national elite rowers revealed that their average sedentary time during non-training periods was 11.63 hours on weekdays and 12.49 hours on weekends[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. Similarly, empirical evidence demonstrates a significant correlation between sedentary behavior in university students and health-related risk factors, particularly during weekends[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e]. Furthermore, academic schedules have been shown to significantly influence sedentary behavior and physical activity patterns. Specifically, each additional hour of class time corresponds to a 9-minute increase in sedentary behavior, while moderate-to-vigorous physical activity only increases by 54 seconds[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e]. These findings underscore the imperative of reducing sedentary behavior among university students and advocate for intervention strategies that account for academic schedules and weekend activities.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eResearch also highlights gender disparities in sedentary behavior, with female students exhibiting longer sedentary durations than their male counterparts, potentially attributable to divergent lifestyle patterns and study habits. A study employing accelerometer-based measurements investigated the association between total sedentary time and anxiety symptoms. Although no significant correlation was observed between total sedentary time and anxiety, screen-based sedentary activities, such as extended television viewing and social media usage, were significantly associated with elevated anxiety symptoms[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]. This suggests that female students may be more susceptible to the adverse psychological effects of screen-based sedentary behavior. Additionally, gender-specific responses to mindfulness training reveal that females exhibit greater reductions in negative emotions and enhancements in mindfulness and self-compassion following such interventions[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e]. This indicates that mindfulness practices may serve as an effective strategy for mitigating the psychological repercussions of sedentary behavior in female students.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnalysis of sedentary behavior across academic years reveals that senior students (e.g., fifth-year students) exhibit significantly lower sedentary durations compared to their junior counterparts. This trend may be attributable to increased participation in extracurricular activities and internships among senior students[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e]. Geospatial variations further influence sedentary behavior, with urban students demonstrating longer sedentary durations than rural students. This disparity may stem from reduced recreational spaces in urban environments and a faster-paced lifestyle that predisposes students to static leisure activities[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e]. Moreover, urban students exhibit higher physical activity levels on weekends but reduced activity during weekdays, likely due to academic pressures and transportation constraints[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe relationship between sedentary behavior and health-risk behaviors such as smoking and hazardous drinking has garnered significant attention. Sedentary behavior is consistently associated with adverse health outcomes, including poor mental health, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, with heightened risks observed among individuals with hazardous drinking habits[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. Among adolescents, sedentary behavior prevalence reaches up to 58.1%, correlating with factors such as age, socioeconomic status, maternal education, rural residence, insufficient physical activity, alcohol experimentation, and adolescent overweight[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e]. These findings accentuate the necessity of promoting physical activity among youth to mitigate sedentary behavior and its associated health risks.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eNotwithstanding these insights, the study possesses certain limitations. First, the cross-sectional design precludes definitive causal inferences between sedentary behavior and health risks. Sedentary behavior is a multifaceted phenomenon influenced by psychological factors (e.g., depression and life satisfaction), cognitive and motivational factors (e.g., attitudes, social support, and self-efficacy), and sociodemographic factors (e.g., socioeconomic status and occupational type)[\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e][\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e][\u003cspan citationid=\"CR25\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e25\u003c/span\u003e]. Second, the study sample was restricted to a single university in Guangdong Province, potentially limiting generalizability. Future research should expand sampling frameworks to encompass diverse geographical and institutional contexts, thereby enhancing the external validity of findings.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"V. Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis cross-sectional study reveals the prevalence and correlates of sedentary behavior among college students in Guangdong Province, showing that most students engage in over 10 hours of daily sedentary time, significantly exceeding the recommended 7-hour threshold and being closely associated with factors such as gender, academic year, and place of residence. Notably, female students, those in lower academic years, and urban residents exhibited higher levels of sedentary behavior, reflecting challenges in promoting healthy lifestyles. The study highlights the detrimental effects of sedentary behavior on physical health (e.g., obesity and cardiovascular risk) and mental well-being, advocating for health education, improved sports facilities, and active lifestyle promotion to reduce sedentary time. However, the cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and the relatively small sample size may restrict generalizability. Future research should expand sampling frameworks and investigate the nuanced impacts of different types of sedentary behavior to further inform health management strategies for college students.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e \u003ch2\u003eConflicts of Interest\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflicts of interest.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFunding\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis research received no external funding.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eXiaoyu TAO: Conceptualization, methodology, data collection, formal analysis, writing\u0026mdash;original draft preparation, and supervision.Xuelan WU: Data collection, formal analysis, and writing\u0026mdash;review and editing.Siying ZHUO: Data collection, investigation, and resources.Jia FU: Formal analysis, visualization, and writing\u0026mdash;review and editing.Ying XIAO: Supervision and project administration.Yang ZHAO: Investigation, data curation, and resources.Junfeng LIAO: Methodology, software, and writing\u0026mdash;review and editing.Tian ZHONG: Supervision and project administration.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Availability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eData is provided within the related files.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDempsey Paddy, C. et al. Managing sedentary behavior to reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. \u003cem\u003eCurr. Diab. Rep.\u003c/em\u003e (2014). 5.2.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOwen Neville. Sedentary behavior: understanding and influencing adults prolonged sitting time. \u003cem\u003ePrev. Med.\u003c/em\u003e (2012). 4.3.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDe Rezende Leandro Fornias Machado. 2.9Rodrigues Lopes Maur\u0026iacute;cio, ReyL\u0026oacute;pez Juan Pablo, et al: Sedentary behavior and health outcomes: an overview of systematic reviews. PLOS ONE (2014).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDempsey Paddy, C. et al. Sedentary Behavior and Chronic Disease: Mechanisms and Future Directions. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY \u0026amp; HEALTH 2019 2.9.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMoulin Marc, S. et al. \u003cem\u003eSedentary time among undergraduate students: A systematic review\u003c/em\u003e (JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH, 2019). 1.6.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHuang Tao, Z. et al. Screen-based sedentary behaviors but not total sedentary time are associated with anxiety among college students. \u003cem\u003eFront. PUBLIC. HEALTH\u003c/em\u003e 3 (2022).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZehan, X. et al. Sedentary behaviors negatively related to depressive symptoms in college students: The roles of type and duration of sedentary behaviors. PHYSIOLOGY \u0026amp; BEHAVIOR 2024 2.4.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVainshelboim Baruch, Brennan Gabrielle, M. et al. Sedentary behavior and physiological health determinants in male and female college students. \u003cem\u003ePHYSIOLOGY\u003c/em\u003e \u0026amp; BEHAVIOR 2019 2.4\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSame Robert, V. et al. Relationship Between Sedentary Behavior and Cardiovascular Risk. \u003cem\u003eCurr. Cardiol. Rep.\u003c/em\u003e (2015). 3.1.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChow, S. C., Shao, J. \u0026amp; Wang, H. \u003cem\u003eSample size calculation in clinical research\u003c/em\u003e (Marcel Dekker, 2008).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKurisu, S. \u003cem\u003eNitta Kazuhiro,Sumimoto Yoji,et al: Frontal QRS-T angle and World Health Organization classification for body mass index\u003c/em\u003e (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY, 2018).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRosenberg, D. E. et al. Reliability and validity of the sedentary behavior questionnaire (SBQ) for adults. \u003cem\u003eJ. Phys. Act. Health\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cb\u003e7\u003c/b\u003e (6), 697\u0026ndash;705. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.1123/jpah.7.6.697\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1123/jpah.7.6.697\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (2010).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRiquelme-Gallego, B. et al. Circulating Undercarboxylated Osteocalcin as Estimator of Cardiovascular and Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Metabolic Syndrome Patients. \u003cem\u003eSci. Rep.\u003c/em\u003e \u003cb\u003e10\u003c/b\u003e (1), 1840 (2020).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSperlich Billy, B. et al. Sedentary Behavior among National Elite Rowers during Off-Training-A Pilot Study. FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY 2017 3.2.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWitzel Nadine, I. et al. [Sedentary Behavior and the health of adolescents]. DEUTSCHE MEDIZINISCHE WOCHENSCHRIFT 2016 0.6.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChim, H. Q. et al. \u003cem\u003eAcademic Schedule and Day-to-Day Variations in Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity of University Students\u003c/em\u003e (INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH, 2020). 4.614.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHuang Tao, Z. et al. Screen-based sedentary behaviors but not total sedentary time are associated with anxiety among college students. \u003cem\u003eFront. PUBLIC. HEALTH\u003c/em\u003e 3 (2022).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRojiani Rahil, Santoyo Juan, F. et al. Women Benefit More Than Men in Response to College-based Meditation Training. FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY 2017 2.6.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmall Meg, L. \u0026amp; Waterman Emily, A. \u003cem\u003eTime Use During First Year of College Predicts Participation in High-Impact Activities During Later Years\u003c/em\u003e (JOURNAL OF COLLEGE STUDENT DEVELOPMENT, 2017).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMachadoRodrigues Aristides, M. et al. Urban-rural contrasts in fitness, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour in adolescents. \u003cem\u003eHealth Promot. Int.\u003c/em\u003e (2012). 2.3.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVancampfort Davy, S. et al. Correlates of sedentary behaviour among adults with hazardous drinking habits in six low- and middle-income countries. \u003cem\u003ePsychiatry Res.\u003c/em\u003e (2018). 4.2.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDias Paula Jaudy Pedroso et al. Ferreira M\u0026aacute;rcia Gon\u0026ccedil;alves, Prevalence and factors associated with sedentary behavior in adolescents. REVISTA DE SAUDE PUBLICA : 2.1 (2014).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003ede 1.4Oliveira Daniel Vicentini, do Nascimento Matheus Amarante, Branco Br\u0026aacute;ulio Henrique Magnani, et al: Psychological Factors Predicting Sedentary Behavior of Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil. JOURNAL OF AGING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (2020).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRollo Scott, G. \u0026amp; Anca Prapavessis Harry: Cognitive and Motivational Factors Associated with Sedentary Behavior: A Systematic Review. \u003cem\u003eAIMS PUBLIC. HEALTH\u003c/em\u003e (2018). 3.1.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuck Christoph, L. et al. Factors influencing sedentary behaviour: A system based analysis using Bayesian networks within DEDIPAC. PLOS ONE 2019 2.9.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003cp\u003eTables 1 to 6 are available in the Supplementary Files section.\u003c/p\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"sedentary behavior, college students, cross-sectional study","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6465127/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6465127/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eObjective\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study investigates the prevalence of sedentary behavior among college students in Guangdong Province, China, and identifies demographic factors associated with sedentary habits.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eA cross-sectional survey was conducted with 253 college students using a structured questionnaire. Participants' sedentary behavior was assessed using the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ), with sedentary behavior defined as sitting for \u0026ge;\u0026thinsp;7 hours per day. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA).\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe majority of participants reported daily sitting times exceeding 10 hours, far surpassing the recommended threshold of 7 hours. Female students, those in lower academic years, and urban residents exhibited higher levels of sedentary behavior. Significant differences were observed in sedentary behavior based on academic year and place of residence, with senior students and those from rural areas reporting lower sitting times.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSedentary behavior is common among college students in Guangdong, with gender, academic year, and residence influencing sitting time.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Prevalence of Sedentary Behavior Among College Students in Guangdong Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-05-22 17:23:21","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6465127/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"157467426160902355024749155269515117","date":"2025-05-20T09:29:40+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-05-20T08:36:44+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-05-13T13:50:13+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvited","content":"","date":"2025-04-23T11:08:25+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-04-23T04:41:35+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Scientific Reports","date":"2025-04-16T15:50:04+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"scientific-reports","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scirep","sideBox":"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"","title":"Scientific Reports","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Scientific Reports","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"5107476a-e6f6-4be5-88ae-3842a2f49241","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 22nd, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[{"id":48821147,"name":"Health sciences/Health care/Public health"},{"id":48821148,"name":"Health sciences/Health care/Public health/Epidemiology"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-10-13T16:03:35+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-6465127","link":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-19018-2","journal":{"identity":"scientific-reports","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Scientific Reports"},"publishedOn":"2025-10-08 15:56:58","publishedOnDateReadable":"October 8th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-05-22 17:23:21","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1038/s41598-025-19018-2","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-19018-2","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-6465127","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-6465127","identity":"rs-6465127","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}