@article{3122509,
    title = "The impact of sedentary behavior patterns on carotid atherosclerotic burden: Implications from the Corinthia epidemiological study",
    author = "Lazaros, G. and Oikonomou, E. and Vogiatzi, G. and Christoforatou, E. and Tsalamandris, S. and Goliopoulou, A. and Tousouli, M. and Mystakidou, V. and Chasikidis, C. and Tousoulis, D.",
    journal = "Atherosclerosis",
    year = "2019",
    volume = "282",
    pages = "154-161",
    publisher = "Elsevier Ireland Ltd",
    issn = "0021-9150",
    doi = "10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2019.01.026",
    keywords = "adult;  aged;  arterial wall thickness;  Article;  body mass;  cardiovascular disease;  cardiovascular risk;  carotid atherosclerosis;  cross-sectional study;  echography;  female;  Greece;  human;  international physical activity questionnaire;  major clinical study;  male;  prevalence;  priority journal;  sedentary lifestyle;  sedentary time;  television viewing;  carotid artery disease;  disease exacerbation;  exercise;  hypertension;  inflammation;  middle aged;  pathophysiology;  questionnaire;  self report;  television;  very elderly, Adult;  Aged;  Aged, 80 and over;  Carotid Artery Diseases;  Carotid Intima-Media Thickness;  Cross-Sectional Studies;  Disease Progression;  Exercise;  Female;  Greece;  Humans;  Hypertension;  Inflammation;  Male;  Middle Aged;  Sedentary Behavior;  Self Report;  Surveys and Questionnaires;  Television",
    abstract = "Background and aims: Sedentary lifestyle, unlike leisure time physical activity (PA), is associated with atherosclerosis progression. Regarding the interrelationship between television watching, as a sedentary behavior pattern, and cardiovascular disease burden, few data exist. Methods: In this cross-sectional epidemiological study based on 2043 inhabitants of the Corinthia region, in Greece, ultrasonography was used to measure carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in both carotid arteries. The average (meanIMT) and maximum thickness (maxIMT) were determined as representative values of subclinical atherosclerosis. We evaluated PA using the self-reported International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Based on specific questions, the average hours per week spent on watching television (TV), videos or DVD was calculated for each participant. Results: According to TV viewing time, subjects were categorized into the low (≤7 h/week), moderate (7˃ TV hours/week ≤21) and high (˃21 h/week) TV viewing time groups. Prevalence of carotid atheromatic plaque was lower in the low TV viewing time group compared to the moderate and high TV viewing time groups (p = 0.02). TV viewing time was associated with increased carotid IMT (p = 0.03) and the prevalence of carotid atheromatic plaque (p = 0.02), even after adjustment for age, body mass index, cardiovascular risk factors or history of cardiovascular disease. Subjects in the high TV viewing time group have 80% increase odds of carotid atheromatic plaque compared to patients categorized in the low TV viewing time group (p = 0.01). Conclusions: The present findings have important public health implications, providing a better understanding of the components of sedentary behavior that are associated with atherosclerotic progression. © 2019 Elsevier B.V."
}