Sitting Time, Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Health‐Related Quality of Life Among Employees at a Multi‐Campus South African Tertiary Academic Institution

Abstract Background Extended sitting time negatively affects physical and mental health. The objective of this study was to determine the relationships among sitting time, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) among desk‐based employees at a tertiary academic institution in South Africa (SA). Methods This cross‐sectional survey was conducted among desk‐based employees at a tertiary academic institution in SA through an online questionnaire. Demographic information, CVD health risk (using the heart disease risk score [HDRS]), HRQoL (using RAND 36‐Item Health Survey) and workday sitting time (Workforce Sitting Questionnaire [WSQ]) were collected. Partial correlations, adjusted for age, sex and ethnicity, were conducted to explore the relationships between total daily sitting time, CVD risk and HRQoL. Results The study included 295 university employees (39.24 ± 9.76 years; 72% females and 28% males). During a typical weekday, employees spent 12.90 ± 2.66 h/day seated, primarily performing 7.09 ± 1.45 h seated during the expected 8‐h workday. More than half (56%) of the employees reported increased CVD risk. The results indicate that prolonged sitting was associated with reduced energy ( r = −0.12, p = 0.004), greater fatigue, poorer social functioning ( r = −0.104, p = 0.012) and increased pain ( r = −0.083, p = 0.044). In addition, a small yet significant positive relationship with CVD risk ( r = 0.101, p < 0.05). Conclusion Desk‐based employees at a South African tertiary institution exhibit high sitting time, particularly during their workday, with more than half at moderate to high risk of CVD. Prolonged sitting negatively influences energy, social functioning and pain. Further studies should focus on increasing the frequency of breaks during a workday to limit sitting time.