Table 1 Descriptive statistics presented separately for each of the four surveys
2000 | 2003 | 2006 | 2009 | 2000 | 2003 | 2006 | 2009 | 2000 | 2003 | 2006 | 2009 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
N = 9284 | N = 8788 | N = 8831 | N = 7872 | Mean (sd) sitting time hours/week-day | Mean (sd) sitting time hours/weekend-day | |||||||||||||||
Overall sitting time | 6.5 | (3.3) | 6.5 | (3.3) | 6.4 | (3.4) | 6.2 | (3.3) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.2 | (2.7) | 5.0 | (2.7) | ||||
Sitting >7 hours/day (%) | 39 | 41 | 39 | 36 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 17 | ||||||||||||
Age (mean (sd)) | 24.6 (1.5) | 27.6 (1.5) | 30.6 (1.5) | 33.7 (1.5) | ||||||||||||||||
Biological factor | ||||||||||||||||||||
BMI (mean (sd)) | 23.8 (4.9) | 24.6 (5.4) | 25.2 (5.6) | 25.8 (5.8) | ||||||||||||||||
Socio-demographic factors | ||||||||||||||||||||
Country of birth (%)a | ||||||||||||||||||||
Australian born* | 92 | 92 | 92 | 93 | 6.5 | (3.2) | 6.5 | (3.3) | 6.4 | (3.3) | 6.2 | (3.3) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.2 | (2.7) | 5.0 | (2.7) |
Other English speaking country | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6.6 | (3.3) | 6.7 | (3.4) | 6.5 | (3.3) | 6.0 | (3.2) | 5.6 | (2.9) | 5.3 | (2.9) | 5.3 | (2.8) | 4.7 | (2.4) |
Europe | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7.1 | (3.2) | 7.1 | (3.1) | 7.3 | (3.3) | 6.8 | (3.7) | 5.1 | (3.0) | 5.1 | (3.0) | 5.8 | (2.9) | 4.8 | (2.8) |
Asia | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7.9 | (3.5) | 8.1 | (3.2) | 7.8 | (3.4) | 7.9 | (3.1) | 7.0 | (3.6) | 6.1 | (3.3) | 6.3 | (3.4) | 5.5 | (2.8) |
Other | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6.9 | (3.3) | 7.1 | (3.2) | 7.1 | (3.4) | 5.4 | (3.0) | 5.7 | (2.5) | 4.5 | (2.8) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.1 | (3.0) |
Area of residence (%)a | ||||||||||||||||||||
Urban* | 55 | 58 | 60 | 59 | 6.9 | (3.3) | 7.1 | (3.3) | 6.9 | (3.4) | 6.6 | (3.4) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.3 | (2.7) | 5.0 | (2.7) |
Rural | 41 | 38 | 35 | 35 | 6.1 | (3.1) | 5.9 | (3.1) | 5.7 | (3.1) | 5.6 | (3.0) | 5.4 | (2.8) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.1 | (2.7) | 4.8 | (2.7) |
Remote | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5.9 | (3.0) | 5.7 | (3.2) | 5.2 | (2.8) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.6 | (2.9) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.0 | (2.5) | 4.8 | (2.7) |
Educational qualification (%)a | ||||||||||||||||||||
Less than 12 years of school | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 5.6 | (3.1) | 5.5 | (3.1) | 5.3 | (2.9) | 5.3 | (3.0) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.2 | (2.8) | 5.0 | (2.8) |
Completed 12 years of school | 23 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 6.6 | (3.2) | 6.2 | (3.2) | 6.0 | (3.3) | 5.9 | (3.2) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.6 | (3.0) | 5.2 | (2.7) | 5.0 | (2.8) |
Post school/technical school | 24 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 6.4 | (3.2) | 6.5 | (3.3) | 6.2 | (3.3) | 6.1 | (3.3) | 5.5 | (2.9) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.2 | (2.7) | 5.1 | (2.9) |
University degree/higher degree* | 39 | 44 | 48 | 52 | 6.9 | (3.2) | 7.0 | (3.3) | 6.8 | (3.4) | 6.5 | (3.3) | 5.4 | (2.7) | 5.4 | (2.6) | 5.2 | (2.7) | 4.9 | (2.5) |
Marital status (%)a | ||||||||||||||||||||
Single* | 53 | 35 | 23 | 17 | 6.8 | (3.3) | 7.1 | (3.4) | 7.3 | (3.4) | 7.6 | (3.5) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.8 | (3.0) | 5.8 | (2.9) | 5.8 | (2.9) |
De facto | 21 | 20 | 19 | 15 | 6.7 | (3.2) | 6.8 | (3.3) | 6.7 | (3.3) | 6.8 | (3.3) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.4 | (2.7) | 5.4 | (2.7) | 5.2 | (2.7) |
Married | 24 | 41 | 54 | 62 | 6.0 | (3.2) | 6.0 | (3.2) | 5.9 | (3.2) | 5.7 | (3.1) | 5.1 | (2.6) | 5.3 | (2.6) | 4.9 | (2.5) | 4.7 | (2.5) |
Separated/divorced/widowed | 2 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6.0 | (2.9) | 6.3 | (3.3) | 6.3 | (3.3) | 6.4 | (3.3) | 5.0 | (2.9) | 5.8 | (3.3) | 5.6 | (3.1) | 5.1 | (2.9) |
Number of children (%)a | ||||||||||||||||||||
None* | 80 | 64 | 51 | 37 | 6.8 | (3.3) | 7.2 | (3.3) | 7.5 | (3.3) | 7.7 | (3.3) | 5.6 | (2.8) | 5.6 | (2.9) | 5.6 | (2.8) | 5.6 | (2.8) |
1 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 19 | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.5 | (2.9) | 5.8 | (3.0) | 6.1 | (3.0) | 5.3 | (2.7) | 5.4 | (2.8) | 5.1 | (2.6) | 5.1 | (2.7) |
2 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 29 | 5.1 | (2.7) | 5.1 | (2.7) | 5.1 | (2.9) | 5.2 | (2.9) | 5.0 | (2.7) | 5.2 | (2.6) | 4.7 | (2.4) | 4.4 | (2.4) |
≥3 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 15 | 4.9 | (3.0) | 4.7 | (2.8) | 4.5 | (2.6) | 4.7 | (2.6) | 5.3 | (2.8) | 5.1 | (2.7) | 4.5 | (2.5) | 4.3 | (2.5) |
Work-related factors | ||||||||||||||||||||
Occupational status (%)a | ||||||||||||||||||||
No paid job | 9 | 19 | 19 | 20 | 5.4 | (2.8) | 5.4 | (2.8) | 5.0 | (2.8) | 4.8 | (2.7) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.5 | (2.7) | 5.0 | (2.6) | 4.7 | (2.5) |
Blue collar | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4.8 | (2.8) | 4.8 | (2.9) | 4.7 | (2.8) | 5.0 | (3.2) | 5.6 | (2.8) | 5.6 | (2.9) | 5.1 | (2.9) | 5.0 | (2.7) |
White collar | 33 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 7.0 | (3.3) | 7.1 | (3.3) | 6.8 | (3.4) | 6.7 | (3.3) | 5.6 | (2.9) | 5.7 | (3.0) | 5.4 | (2.8) | 5.2 | (2.9) |
Professional* | 45 | 44 | 47 | 49 | 6.7 | (3.2) | 7.0 | (3.4) | 7.0 | (3.4) | 6.7 | (3.3) | 5.4 | (2.8) | 5.4 | (2.7) | 5.3 | (2.7) | 5.0 | (2.6) |
Hours worked per week (%)a | ||||||||||||||||||||
None | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 5.9 | (3.0) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.0 | (2.7) | 5.0 | (2.8) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.5 | (2.7) | 5.0 | (2.6) | 4.8 | (2.6) |
1-15 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 6.3 | (3.0) | 5.7 | (2.8) | 4.9 | (2.9) | 4.7 | (2.5) | 5.7 | (2.8) | 5.3 | (2.6) | 4.8 | (2.6) | 4.5 | (2.5) |
16-24 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 6.1 | (2.9) | 5.7 | (3.0) | 5.5 | (3.0) | 5.3 | (2.9) | 5.5 | (2.9) | 5.4 | (2.7) | 4.9 | (2.6) | 4.6 | (2.5) |
25-34 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.8 | (3.1) | 5.8 | (3.1) | 6.1 | (3.1) | 5.5 | (2.9) | 5.3 | (2.8) | 5.0 | (2.5) | 5.0 | (2.7) |
35-40* | 28 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 6.8 | (3.2) | 7.2 | (3.3) | 7.3 | (3.2) | 7.5 | (3.2) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.7 | (3.0) | 5.5 | (2.7) | 5.4 | (2.8) |
41-48 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 7.1 | (3.4) | 7.4 | (3.4) | 7.7 | (3.3) | 7.8 | (3.3) | 5.4 | (2.7) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.3 | (2.7) |
≥49 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 6.8 | (3.5) | 7.4 | (3.7) | 7.5 | (3.7) | 7.4 | (3.7) | 5.3 | (2.9) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.5 | (2.9) | 5.0 | (2.8) |
Lifestyle factors | ||||||||||||||||||||
Physical activity (%)a | ||||||||||||||||||||
Active | 55 | 55 | 49 | 46 | 6.4 | (3.2) | 6.6 | (3.3) | 6.4 | (3.3) | 6.3 | (3.3) | 5.3 | (2.7) | 5.4 | (2.7) | 5.1 | (2.6) | 4.9 | (2.6) |
Inactive* | 44 | 44 | 49 | 51 | 6.7 | (3.3) | 6.6 | (3.3) | 6.4 | (3.4) | 6.2 | (3.3) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.3 | (2.8) | 5.0 | (2.7) |
Smoking status (%)a | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non smoker* | 57 | 57 | 58 | 60 | 6.6 | (3.2) | 6.7 | (3.3) | 6.5 | (3.3) | 6.3 | (3.3) | 5.4 | (2.7) | 5.5 | (2.8) | 5.2 | (2.7) | 4.9 | (2.6) |
Ex-smoker | 14 | 19 | 22 | 26 | 6.3 | (3.1) | 6.5 | (3.2) | 6.2 | (3.3) | 6.1 | (3.3) | 5.3 | (2.8) | 5.4 | (2.7) | 5.1 | (2.7) | 4.9 | (2.7) |
Current smoker | 28 | 24 | 19 | 14 | 6.5 | (3.4) | 6.3 | (3.3) | 6.5 | (3.5) | 6.2 | (3.3) | 5.7 | (3.0) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.5 | (2.9) | 5.2 | (3.0) |
Alcohol consumption (%)a | ||||||||||||||||||||
Non drinker | 9 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 6.3 | (3.1) | 6.1 | (3.4) | 5.8 | (3.3) | 5.8 | (3.2) | 5.7 | (2.8) | 5.7 | (3.0) | 5.2 | (2.7) | 5.1 | (2.9) |
Rare drinker | 29 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 6.3 | (3.2) | 6.2 | (3.2) | 6.0 | (3.2) | 6.0 | (3.2) | 5.6 | (2.9) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.3 | (2.8) | 5.1 | (2.7) |
Low risk drinker* | 58 | 61 | 60 | 60 | 6.7 | (3.2) | 6.7 | (3.3) | 6.6 | (3.4) | 6.3 | (3.3) | 5.4 | (2.7) | 5.4 | (2.7) | 5.1 | (2.6) | 4.9 | (2.6) |
Risky/high risk drinker | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6.7 | (3.3) | 7.1 | (3.1) | 7.0 | (3.6) | 6.6 | (3.6) | 5.9 | (3.1) | 6.0 | (3.0) | 6.0 | (3.1) | 5.3 | (3.0) |
Stress (%)a | ||||||||||||||||||||
Being not stressed* | 50 | 54 | 56 | 51 | 6.2 | (3.2) | 6.4 | (3.3) | 6.2 | (3.3) | 6.0 | (3.2) | 5.3 | (2.7) | 5.4 | (2.7) | 5.0 | (2.6) | 4.8 | (2.6) |
Being somewhat stressed | 50 | 46 | 44 | 49 | 6.9 | (3.3) | 6.8 | (3.3) | 6.7 | (3.4) | 6.5 | (3.3) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.7 | (2.9) | 5.5 | (2.9) | 5.1 | (2.7) |