Association Between Prolonged Sedentary Time and Elevated High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein Among Korean Adults...

Sedentary behavior has emerged as a health risk factor distinct from insufficient physical activity. This study examined the association between sedentary time and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, among Korean older adults.

Data were obtained from the 2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among 1667 participants aged 65 years or older with available hs-CRP measurements, 496 with leukocyte counts ≥10 000 cells/mm3 or hs-CRP levels ≥10.0 mg/L were excluded, yielding a final sample of 1171 participants. hs-CRP levels ≥1.0 mg/L were classified as abnormal. Differences in the prevalence of abnormal hs-CRP were assessed using the chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between sedentary time and abnormal hs-CRP after adjustment for covariates.

The prevalence of abnormal hs-CRP was higher among participants who did not engage in regular walking (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 1.46) and those with adverse cardiometabolic profiles, including elevated blood pressure, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity. It was also higher among participants with sedentary time ≥10 hr/day (PR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.41). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, prolonged sedentary time remained associated with abnormal hs-CRP levels after adjustment for covariates (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.71).

Prolonged sedentary time was independently associated with elevated hs-CRP levels among Korean adults aged 65 years or older. Accordingly, sedentary behavior reduction may be a useful target for chronic disease prevention strategies in older populations.