Physical activity and sedentary behavior: Independent or interrelated public health issues?

Abstract

The papers published in this issue of Kinesiology Review are based on scholarly presentations delivered at the 88th annual meeting of the National Academy of Kinesiology (NAK) held in Chicago, IL, from September 20 to 22, 2018. The theme of the conference was "Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: Independent or Interrelated Public Health Issues?" Exploring the nature of the relationship between physical activity and sedentary behavior is extremely timely given the scientific and media attention being devoted to understanding its association with health-related outcomes. As the past president of the Academy, it was my honor to invite distinguished scholars from within the Academy, as well as experts external to the Academy and/or discipline of kinesiology, to address important topics associated with the conference theme. Topics explored over the course of the 2-day meeting focused on how to define and measure physical activity and sedentary behavior and how to promote higher levels of physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior associated with negative health outcomes in a variety of contexts (e.g., schools, workplaces, community) and across different populations (e.g., youth, individuals with disability, older adults).