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SEDENTARISM IN SCHOOLS 
The committee did not identify a widely recognized definition of sed-
entarism, a new word in the English language, but one that exists in other 
languages to describe sedentary behaviors, sedentary activities, a sedentary 
lifestyle, or physical inactivity. Bernstein and colleagues (1999) describe sed-
entarism in terms of energy expenditure, while Ricciardi (2005) defines it in 
terms of what it is not, that is, not engaging in physical activity. Probably 
the most commonly accepted definition is time spent other than in sleep, or 
time spent in vigorous-, moderate-, or light-intensity physical activity. The 
word also is used to describe the status of a person or a population with 
high levels of sedentary behaviors or a sedentary lifestyle. 
Sedentarism can be categorized as (1) recreational sedentarism, which 
refers mainly to media use or “screen time” but can also include more 
traditional sedentary activities such as recreational reading or having a con-
versation while sitting, and (2) nonrecreational sedentarism, which refers to 
schoolwork or other types of work that occur while sitting and also to other 
sedentary activities that are necessary to perform daily tasks, such as motor-
ized transportation or eating a meal. Most of the public health interest in 
sedentarism has focused on decreasing recreational sedentarism, especially 
screen time, but there is increasing interest in ways to alter sedentary work 
so it can be performed while engaging in light physical activity or even 
while standing. Standing desks and treadmill desks are becoming popular 

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Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
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