Sedentary lifestyle as a risk factor for domains of individual vitality in women

BACKGROUND: Sedentary lifestyle, increasingly prevalent in the modern technological environment, poses a threat to female vitality. It leads to physiological alterations including muscle weakening, impaired cardiac function, metabolic dysregulation, and hormonal imbalance, contributing to chronic disease development. Sedentary behavior also adversely affects psychoemotional functioning, causing depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and social isolation, thereby reducing women’s quality of life.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate examination data of women aged 60 years using a domain-based approach in the presence of sedentary lifestyle.

METHODS: The study was conducted in a Medical Prevention Department. The somatic, locomotor, sensory, cognitive, psychological, and nutritional domains were assessed. The following methods were used: Cardiovisor, echocardiography, heart rate variability analysis, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, glycated hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, omega-3 fatty acids, dynamometry, bioimpedancemetry, ophthalmologic examination, FRAIL scale, MNA scale, MMSE, Katz Index, Beck Depression Inventory, and Asthenic State Scale. Data were analyzed using StatTech version 4.8.0.

RESULTS: Presarcopenia was identified in 32.7% of women with sedentary lifestyle (18 of 55), whereas no cases were recorded among physically active women (0%). Sedentary behavior was observed in 94.5% of patients with type 2 diabetes (52 of 55), whereas all women without diabetes (45 of 45; 100%) demonstrated adequate physical activity (p < 0.001). Age-related cognitive decline was detected in 50.9% of sedentary participants (28 of 55), whereas no such cases occurred in the active group (0%; p < 0.001). Asthenic syndrome was present in all 55 sedentary women (100%), and was absent in the active group (45; p < 0.001). Quality-of-life score in sedentary women was 0.98 (interquartile range 0.92–1.04), indicating statistically significant differences (p < 0.001). Women with insufficient physical activity had significantly higher serum neutral lipid levels, 3.71 ± 0.35 vs 2.68 ± 0.28 in physically active women (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Sedentary lifestyle adversely affects the physical and emotional well-being of women, as well as their social participation. Addressing this issue requires educational programs, accessible environments for physical activity, and promotion of healthy lifestyle habits. Investment in overcoming sedentary lifestyle is essential for improving women’s lives and supporting their contribution to societal development.