Factors associated with communication-based sedentary behaviors among youth: are talking on the phone, texting, and instant messaging new sedentary behaviors to be concerned about?

PURPOSE Sedentary behavior research typically only examines screen time activities and not communication time activities, such as talking on the phone, texting, or instant messaging. METHODS Data from 2,449 grade 5 to 8 students were used to examine factors associated with the time youth spent in communication-based sedentary behaviors. RESULTS Screen time, physical activity, grade, and gender were associated with moderate and high communication time. DISCUSSION Future research on sedentary behavior should include measures of communication time.