Associations between time spent in sedentary behaviors and metabolic syndrome risk in physically active and inactive European older adults

Nilsson, Andreas, Limem, Hadil, Santoro, Aurelia, Jurado-Medina, Laura Smeldy, Berendsen, Agnes A. M., de Groot, Lisette C. P. G. M., Kaluza, Joanna, Januszko, Olga, Jennings, Amy, Fairweather-Tait, Susan, Franceschi, Claudio and Kadi, Fawzi (2025) Associations between time spent in sedentary behaviors and metabolic syndrome risk in physically active and inactive European older adults. Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, 29 (6). ISSN 1279-7707

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Abstract

Objectives To determine how clustered metabolic risk based on a validated continuous metabolic syndrome risk score is associated with objectively assessed time in sedentary behaviors (SB) in physically active and inactive older adults, while considering adherence to healthy eating habits. Design Cross-sectional study Setting and participants The study comprises 871 community-dwelling older adults (age 65–79 years) recruited from four European countries. Measurements Daily times spent in SB and physical activity (PA) were assessed by accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X) for a week. Waist circumference, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, mean arterial blood pressure, fasting glucose and insulin were determined, and a continuous metabolic syndrome risk score (cMSy) was generated using principal component analysis. Healthy eating habits were assessed by food record. General linear models stratified by adherence to PA guidelines (active/inactive) were used to examine differences in cMSy across tertiles of time in SB (Low, Medium, High) with adjustment for covariates, including healthy eating habits. Results A significantly (p < 0.05) lower cMSy was observed among older adults in the low SB tertile compared to medium and high SB tertiles, with no difference between the latter tertiles. The favorable effect of low amounts of SB on cMSy was indicated in both active and inactive groups, and regardless of healthy eating habits. Further, being active was related to a more favorable cMSy across all SB tertiles. Conclusion Low amounts of time spent in SB are related to a lower metabolic syndrome risk regardless of adherence to PA guidelines and healthy eating habits in older adults, supporting guidelines targeting limited amounts of SB alongside engagement in moderate-to-vigorous PA for promotion of metabolic health.

Item Type:	Article
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Nutrition and Preventive Medicine
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	25 Mar 2025 11:30
Last Modified:	30 Mar 2025 06:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/98884
DOI:	10.1016/j.jnha.2025.100544

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