The impact of sedentary behavior patterns on carotid atherosclerotic burden: Implications from the Corinthia epidemiological study. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lazaros, George; Oikonomou, Evangelos; Vogiatzi, Georgia; Christoforatou, Evangelia; Tsalamandris, Sotirios; Goliopoulou, Athina; Tousouli, Maria; Mystakidou, Vasiliki; Chasikidis, Christos; Tousoulis, Dimitris
• Is Part Of: Atherosclerosis. Volume 282(2019)
• Page Start: 154
• Page End: 161
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Corinthia study -- Physical activity -- Sedentary behavior -- Television viewing -- Atherosclerosis -- Carotid intima-media thickness; Arteriosclerosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.136
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2019.01.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9150

Abstract

Abstract: Background and aims: Sedentary lifestyle, unlike leisure time physical activity (PA), is associated with atherosclerosis progression. Regarding the interrelationship between television watching, as a sedentary behavior pattern, and cardiovascular disease burden, few data exist. Methods: In this cross-sectional epidemiological study based on 2043 inhabitants of the Corinthia region, in Greece, ultrasonography was used to measure carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in both carotid arteries. The average (meanIMT) and maximum thickness (maxIMT) were determined as representative values of subclinical atherosclerosis. We evaluated PA using the self-reported International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Based on specific questions, the average hours per week spent on watching television (TV), videos or DVD was calculated for each participant. Results: According to TV viewing time, subjects were categorized into the low (≤7 h/week), moderate (7˃ TV hours/week ≤21) and high (˃21 h/week) TV viewing time groups. Prevalence of carotid atheromatic plaque was lower in the low TV viewing time group compared to the moderate and high TV viewing time groups ( p = 0.02). TV viewing time was associated with increased carotid IMT ( p = 0.03) and the prevalence of carotid atheromatic plaque ( p = 0.02), even after adjustment for age, body mass index, cardiovascular risk factors or history of cardiovascular disease. Subjects in the high TV viewing time group have 80% increase odds of carotid atheromatic plaque compared to patients categorized in the low TV viewing time group ( p = 0.01). Conclusions: The present findings have important public health implications, providing a better understanding of the components of sedentary behavior that are associated with atherosclerotic progression. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Physical activity is associated with a reduction of cardiovascular events. Few data exist about the association of sedentary behavior with atherosclerosis. Association between hypertension prevalence and increasing TV-viewing-time. TV-viewing-time was associated with increased mean cIMT and carotid atheromatic plaque. Sedentary behavior may provoke atherosclerotic progression.