Dori Rosenberg, PhD, MPH, has conducted extensive research into measuring and intervening on physical activity and sedentary time. Her research incorporates a multi-level and patient-centered perspective to help ensure individuals can be more successful in making healthy lifestyle choices by understanding:

• individual resources,
• characteristics,
• motivation,
• social norms and lives, and
• community environments.

Many people face substantial barriers to engaging in physical activity, so Dr. Rosenberg has examined practical approaches to helping people sit less as an alternative strategy to health promotion. As part of this work, she validated the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire, which is a self-reported assessment of sitting-related behaviors suitable for use in youths and adults. Here you can find documentation and the survey items.

Dr. Rosenberg is currently testing the effects of sitting reduction on cardiovascular and metabolic health outcomes through a large randomized controlled trial. In the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) epidemiologic study, she is assessing physical activity and sedentary time with novel devices so she can examine associations with cognitive, functional, and physical resilience. Through this, Dr. Rosenberg is helping to build an evidence base for the health effects of sedentary time.

Dr. Rosenberg also investigates how the built environment — such as parks, open space, and sidewalks — encourages better health. She envisions more outdoor urban and suburban facilities that invite physical activity — and do so inclusively, so that individuals of all ages and abilities can use them. Through her research, she advocates for changes to neighborhood, home, and work environments to support opportunities for physical activity throughout the day.

Dr. Rosenberg currently serves as co-chair of the Physical Activity Special Interest Group at the Society of Behavioral Medicine.  She is also affiliate associate professor in the Department of Health Services at the University of Washington School of Public Health.