Sedentary behavior and metabolic health in young adults across ecological contexts and behavioral patterns

Sedentary behavior (SB) is linked to adverse health outcomes, but its patterns and contexts are still not fully understood. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) integrated with accelerometry offers potential insight. This study examined associations between SB patterns and contexts with metabolic biomarkers in young adults. Of 142 participants, 126 provided valid data, with 18 excluded for EMA issues. A total of 108 young adults (21–24 years; 90% power, α = 0.05, f² = 0.15) wore accelerometers for 7 days and completed EMA surveys every 120 min to capture SB contexts. Metabolic biomarkers (glucose, TC, HDL, LDL, TG) were analyzed, and multiple regression tested associations. Sedentary time was positively associated with LDL (mg/dL) (β = 0.065; St β 0.205; [95% CI 0.004;0.126]); p = 0.036). Only leisure-time SB context showed positive association with glucose (β = 0.073; St β 0.195; [95% CI 0.004;0.141]); p = 0.038), TC (β = 0.553; St β 0.239; [95% CI 0.134;0.971]); p = 0.010), and LDL (β = 0.492; St β 0.241; [95% CI 0.111;0.872]); p = 0.012). None of the analyzed variables were associated with SB pattern. EMA-accelerometry integration revealed that leisure-time SB is associated with glucose, TC, LDL, underscoring the importance of examining SB contexts in health research.