Cross-Sectional Association between Sedentary Behavior and Physical Inactivity with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors...

Sedentary behavior and physical inactivity increase the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. It is important to evaluate physical activity in daily life and understand the influence of these factors on cardiometabolic diseases in the Japanese population, which tends to have a prolonged sitting time. We examined the association between sedentary behavior and physical inactivity, characterized by extended television (TV) viewing and low step counts, which are easily monitored and modifiable, and cardiometabolic risk factors in the Japanese population.

This cross-sectional study included 2,531 Japanese adults (1,087 men and 1,444 women) 20-91 years old, randomly selected throughout Japan. TV viewing was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire, and step counts were measured using pedometers. Cardiometabolic risk factors were determined using physical examinations or blood samples. The association between sedentary behavior and physical inactivity with each risk factor was examined using a cross-sectional analysis with multivariate-adjusted logistic regression models.

In both sexes, longer TV viewing positively correlated with low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and high triglycerides (TG). In women, TV viewing time is associated with obesity and increased abdominal circumference (AC). Conversely, in men, lower step counts were positively associated with obesity and increased AC, low HDL cholesterol, and high TG levels.

The association between prolonged TV viewing and cardiometabolic risk factors was more pronounced in women than in men, whereas the influence of lower step counts was stronger in men than in women. These findings contribute to the improvement of cardiovascular health by monitoring and managing individual screen times and step counts in daily life.