TY - JOUR TI - The impact of sedentary behavior patterns on carotid atherosclerotic burden: Implications from the Corinthia epidemiological study AU - Lazaros, G. AU - Oikonomou, E. AU - Vogiatzi, G. AU - Christoforatou, E. AU - Tsalamandris, S. AU - Goliopoulou, A. AU - Tousouli, M. AU - Mystakidou, V. AU - Chasikidis, C. AU - Tousoulis, D. JO - Atherosclerosis PY - 2019 VL - 282 TODO - null SP - 154-161 PB - Elsevier Ireland Ltd SN - 0021-9150 TODO - 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2019.01.026 TODO - 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 TODO - 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. ER -