Associations between multiple indicators of objectively-measured and self-reported sedentary behaviour and cardiometabolic risk in older adults

Objective: To examine the associations between sedentary behaviour (SB) measured objectively and by self-report and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Method: Cross-sectional analyses of adults ≥ 60 years who participated in the 2008 Health Survey for England. Main exposures were self-reported leisure-time SB consisting of TV/DVD viewing, non-TV leisure-time sitting, and accelerometry-measured SB. Outcomes included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, cholesterol ratio (total/HDL), Hb1Ac and prevalent diabetes.

Results: 2765 participants (1256 men) had valid self-reported SB and outcomes/confounding variables data, of whom 649 (292 men) had accelerometer data. Total self-reported leisure-time SB showed multivariable-adjusted (including for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) associations with BMI (beta for mean difference in BMI per 30 min/day extra SB: 0.088 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.047 to 0.130); waist circumference (0.234, 0.129 to 0.339 cm); cholesterol ratio (0.018, 0.005 to 0.032) and diabetes (odds ratio per 30 min/day extra SB: 1.059, 1.030 to 1.089). Similar associations were observed for TV time while non-TV self-reported SB showed associations only with diabetes (1.057, 1.017 to 1.099). Accelerometry SB was associated with waist circumference only (0.633, 0.173 to 1.093).

Conclusion: In older adults SB is associated with cardiometabolic risk factors, but the associations are more consistent when is measured by self-report that includes TV viewing.