Creating Behavioral Vacuums: Interplay Between Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors

Screen media use has increased dramatically in children in the past decade, contributing to increasing rates of sedentary behavior in children. Excessive screen media use is related to poor social skills and increased likelihood of being overweight and obese. Behavioral economic theory has been used to examine the relationship between sedentary behavior and physical activity and whether an increase or decrease in one leads to a reciprocal response in the other. Health care providers should be aware of the behavioral “vacuum” that is created when patients are told to decrease sedentary behavior and assist patients with filling that void with nonsedentary behaviors.