Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ) — Fitness and Exercise Sitting Habits Test
Multiple-choice time bands across sedentary activities to profile sitting behavior.
The Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ) is a quick, evidence-based screening tool designed to profile daily sitting behavior and sedentary activities. This Fitness and Exercise assessment helps you quantify how much time you spend in sedentary pursuits — such as watching TV, computer use, reading, commuting, and sitting during meals — to identify patterns that may affect your metabolic health, posture, and overall fitness.
Completing the SBQ takes only a few minutes and provides actionable insight into your daily routine. Use the results to set realistic goals for breaking up sitting time, increasing standing or light activity, and improving long-term cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health. The questionnaire is ideal for adults seeking to reduce sedentary time, fitness professionals monitoring clients, and health-conscious individuals tracking lifestyle changes.
How much time do you typically spend watching TV or videos (streaming, DVDs) in a typical day?
Include all TV and video streaming on any device during an average day.
How much time do you spend using a computer for work (sitting) in a typical day?
Include desk work, emails, and work-related computer time; exclude mobile phone use.
How much time do you use a computer or tablet for leisure (social media, browsing, gaming) while sitting?
Include non-work screen time on laptops, tablets, or desktops.
How much time do you spend sitting while commuting (car, bus, train) on a typical day?
Total daily time spent sitting during travel to/from work, errands, or other regular trips.
How much time do you spend sitting while eating meals during a typical day?
Include all sitting time during breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.
How much time do you spend sitting while socializing (visiting friends, eating out, sitting at events)?
Include time sitting at social gatherings, cafes, or bars.
How much time do you spend sitting while reading (books, magazines) in a typical day?
Include print and e-reading while seated.
How much time do you spend sitting while using your phone or tablet (texting, browsing, apps) in a typical day?
Include time scrolling or using apps while seated at home, work, or out.
How much time do you spend sitting while doing hobbies or crafts (sewing, drawing, playing instruments) in a typical day?
Include seated creative pursuits and sedentary hobbies.
How much time do you spend sitting in meetings or on calls during a typical day?
Include both scheduled and impromptu sitting meetings, video calls while seated, and long conference sessions.
Frequently asked questions
The SBQ is a brief multiple-choice questionnaire that measures time spent in common sedentary activities to profile daily sitting behavior. It helps identify how much time you spend in sedentary pursuits such as TV viewing, computer use, commuting, and seated social time.
Most people complete the SBQ in 3–7 minutes. The questions are straightforward time-band selections for common activities, so it’s a fast way to assess overall sedentary time.
The SBQ score is the sum of values assigned to each chosen time band across activities. Higher totals indicate more sedentary time. Interpretation categories typically denote low, moderate, or high sedentary risk and guide recommendations for reducing sitting time.
No. The SBQ is a screening and self-assessment tool; it is not a diagnostic instrument. Use it to monitor behavior and guide lifestyle changes, and consult a healthcare professional for medical diagnosis or personalized health concerns.
Start by scheduling short standing or walking breaks every 30–60 minutes, choosing active commuting when possible, reducing recreational screen time, and using sit-stand desks. Small, consistent changes are effective in lowering sedentary time and improving health.
The SBQ is primarily designed for adults to estimate typical daily sedentary time. For children or older adults with specific needs, consider age-tailored assessments or consult professionals for appropriate measurement tools.
Retake the SBQ every 2–8 weeks after implementing behavior changes to track progress. Regular reassessment helps you measure the impact of interventions and adjust goals accordingly.
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