Sedentary Behaviors Increase Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease Mortality In Men

Abstract

Scientific evidence suggests a positive association between sedentary behaviors and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between two common sedentary behaviors (riding in car and watching television) and CVD mortality in men who enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study. METHODS: Participants were 7,304 men (20-81 yr) initially free of CVD who had extensive health examinations during 1970-1982. Sedentary behavior was assessed with a questionnaire at baseline. Cox regression analysis quantified the association between sedentary behaviors (hr/wk watching television, hr/wk riding in car, total hr/wk in these two behaviors) categorized in quartiles and CVD mortality rates. RESULTS: 378 CVD deaths occurred during a mean 25.0 years of follow-up. After adjusting for multiple variables, riding in a car and total sedentary behavior were significantly (p<.05) associated with CVD death. Men who reported >10 hrs/wk riding in a car had a 50% greater risk of dying from CVD than those who reported <4 hr/wk. There was a 36% higher risk of CVD death in men reporting >11 hr/wk of total sedentary behavior compared with men reporting <5 hr/wk. Regardless of the amount of sedentary activity reported by these men, being younger, normal weight, normotensive, aerobically fit, and physically active appeared to have a protective effect on risk of CVD death. There was no significant association between watching television and CVD death in men. CONCLUSION: In this study, riding in a car and total sedentary behavior were significant CVD mortality predictors in men. In addition, high levels of physical activity and aerobic fitness proved protective of CVD death even in the presence of high levels of sedentary behavior. Health promotion efforts targeting men should emphasize both reducing sedentary activity and increasing regular physical activity and aerobic fitness to gain optimal cardiovascular health.