What distinguishes sedentary activity from sedentary behavior?

Sedentary activity and sedentary behavior, though closely related, are distinguished by the specific energy expenditure associated with them. Sedentary activity refers to tasks that require minimal physical effort, typically characterized by energy expenditures of 1.0 to 1.5 metabolic equivalents (METs). This means that during sedentary activity, individuals are expending a small amount of energy, but still engaging in some form of physical activity that is above complete rest.

In contrast, sedentary behavior encompasses all activities where there is little to no movement that results in low energy expenditure, including activities such as sitting, watching television, or using a computer. This can include periods of both stillness and slight movements but generally falls below the mentioned MET threshold.

The other options provided do not accurately represent the differences. Claiming that both are the same ignores the nuances of energy expenditure, stating that sedentary activity involves higher energy expenditure misrepresents the definition, and suggesting that sedentary behavior includes only lying down is overly restrictive and does not hold true for all sedentary activities. Thus, the correct answer highlights the specific energy expenditure parameters that define sedentary activity.