Leisure Time Sedentary Behavior, Occupational/Domestic Physical Activity, and Metabolic Syndrome in U.S. Men and Women

Abstract

Background This study examines leisure time sedentary behavior (LTSB) and usual occupational/domestic activity (UODA) and the relationship with metabolic syndrome and individual cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, independent of physical activity level. Methods NHANES 2003–2006 data from men (n=1868) and women (n=1688) with fasting measures were classified as having metabolic syndrome by the AHA/NHLBI definition. LTSB was determined from self-reported TV viewing and computer usage. UODA was self-reported daily behavior (sitting, standing, walking, carrying loads). Results LTSB ≥4 hr/day was associated with odds of having metabolic syndrome of 1.94 (95% CI:1.24, 3.03) in men compared to ≤1 hr/day. LTSB ≥4 hr/day was also associated with higher odds of elevated waist circumference (1.88, CI:1.03, 3.41), low HDL-cholesterol (1.84, CI:1.33, 2.51), and high blood pressure (1.55, CI:1.07, 2.24) in men. LTSB 2–3 hr/day was associated with higher odds of elevated glucose (1.32, CI:1.00, 1.75) in men. In women, odds of metabolic syndrome were 1.54 (CI:1.00, 2.37) with ≥4 hr/day LTSB, but LTSB was not associated with risk of the individual CVD risk factors. Higher LTSB was associated with metabolic syndrome in inactive men (1.50, CI:1.07, 2.09), active men (1.74, CI:1.11, 2.71), inactive women (1.69, CI:1.24, 2.33), but not active women (1.62, CI:0.87,3.01). UODA was not associated with metabolic syndrome or CVD risk factors in either men or women. Conclusions In men, high LTSB is associated with higher odds of metabolic syndrome and individual CVD risk factors regardless of meeting physical activity recommendations. In women, high LTSB is associated with higher odds of metabolic syndrome only in those not meeting the physical activity recommendations.

Cardio Metabolic Syndrome: A Global Epidemic

“…Simple measures such as reducing non-physical and sedentary activities; TV watching, video gaming or non-work related computer use to a limit of one hour per day, could potentially reduce the prevalence of CMS in the US adult population by 30-35% [70]. Sedentary living with low or no exercise leads to insulin resistance and secondary hyperinsulinemia, type II diabetes and the associated obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and the ultimate common and undesired clinical outcome of atherosclerosis [105].…”

“…In the United States, excessive television watching (average 2.2 hrs/ day) and non-working time computer use (1.7 hr./day) are accepted to have an association to the rising prevalence of CMS [69,70]. In a population-based study on 6,241, it was reported that with each hour/day of increased TV viewing, there was a 26% increase in CMS prevalence in women, while a total physical activity greater than 2.5 hrs/week was associated with reduction in the prevalence of insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in both genders and improvement in weight and BP control [71].…”

Mediators of the Association between Low Socioeconomic Status and Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States.

“…Sedentary time was recorded as the number of hours spent sitting or reclining at work, at home, or at school each day (excluding time spent sleeping) and was categorized as low (≤1 hour/ day), medium (2-3 hours/day), or high (≥4 hours/day) (20).…”

Ethnic Difference in Lipid Profiles

“…Possible contributors include genetic, environmental, psychosocial, cultural and unmeasured factors and many are not well clarified (Zaninotto et al 2007). It is clear that the observed ethnic differences in lipid profiles cannot be explained by genetics alone and may be more indicative of lifestyle-related factors such as dietary pattern and physical activity (Ruixing et al 2008;McNaughton et al 2009;Sisson et al 2009). To what extent is ethnic-specific lifestyle pattern associated with different lipid profiles deserves further investigation.…”