Is Cannabis Use Associated with Sedentary Behavior during Leisure Time? A Study in Canada, 2011–2012

Abstract

Background: Sedentary behavior, defined as lying or sitting, is a global health concern. As researchers continue to identify modern-day risk factors for sedentary behavior, few have explored the role of illicit drug use. Objective: To examine the association between leisure-time sedentary behavior and cannabis use, in adolescents and adults. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study relating cannabis use to total leisure-time sedentary behavior (hr/wk using the computer, playing video games, watching television or videos, and reading for leisure) using data from the 2011–2012 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), a population-based survey of Canadians age ≥12 years. Analyses were possible for 48,240 respondents in Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Nunavut who reported on sedentary behavior. We used logistic regression modeling to relate frequency of cannabis use (never, occasional, heavy) to high-risk sedentary behavior (<35 versus ≥35 hr/wk) overall and stratified by sex, age, and rural location. Results: Approximately 80% of respondents were ≥25 years old. In the fully-adjusted model, the odds of ≥35 hr/wk of sedentary behavior were 80% higher for heavy cannabis users versus never users (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.4–2.3); in occasional cannabis users, the odds were 30% higher (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1–1.5). In stratified analyses, odds ratios were statistically significant among adults age 25–44 years and people living in nonrural settings. Conclusions/Importance: Our findings support dual lifestyle interventions targeting heavy cannabis use and excessive sedentary behavior simultaneously. Moreover, leisure-time sedentary behavior should be considered as a covariate in future epidemiologic models relating cannabis to health.

Keywords:

• Cannabis
• marijuana
• sedentary behavior
• leisure
• computer
• video games
• television
• reading

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Shawn Brule for explaining the content and conduct of the Canadian Community Health Survey, 2011–2012.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by funds to the Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN) from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR), the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and Statistics Canada. Although the research and analysis are based on data from Statistics Canada, the opinions expressed do not represent the views of Statistics Canada.