Sedentary leisure time behavior, snacking habits and cardiovascular biomarkers: the Inter99 Study

AIM: To explore the association between sedentary leisure time behavior (SLTB) and cardiovascular biomarkers, taking into account snacking habits, alcohol intake and physical activity level.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

METHODS: Study participants were recruited from the 5-year follow-up of a population-based intervention study, The Inter99 Study (1999-2006, Copenhagen, Denmark). A group of 6536 men and women, aged 35-65, was invited to attend a health examination and fill in a self-report questionnaire. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied.

RESULTS: Response rate was 69% (N = 4511), with equal gender distribution and mean age of 52. SLTB (hours per day) was significantly positively associated with triglyceride in men (β = 1.030, [1.013; 1.047]) and women (β = 1.036, [1.022; 1.050]), non-HDL cholesterol in men (β = 0.044, [0.012; 0.076]) and women (β = 0.064, [0.035; 0.094]), waist circumference in men (β = 0.835, [0.517; 1.153]) and women (β = 1.234, [0.087; 1.598]), and with waist/hip ratio (WHR) in men (β = 0.0054, [0.0036; 0.0073]) and women (β = 0.0040, [0.0019; 0.0060]). The associations persisted after adjustment for relevant confounders, except in HDL, where the association became non-significant in men (β = 0.9924, [0.9839; 1.0011]) and women (β = 0.9932, [0.8605; 1.0014]).

CONCLUSION: SLTB appears to be an independent CVD risk factor, regardless of snacking habits and physical activity.