The Association Between Sedentary Behavior and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: An Analysis Based on NHANES Data

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behavior has become a major global public health challenge and is closely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Sedentary behavior not only increases the risk of various chronic diseases but also poses significant threats to cardiovascular health. Existing studies suggest that sedentary behavior is an independent risk factor for CVD, but the underlying mechanisms across different populations remain inadequately explored. METHODS: This study analyzed data from 31,034 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to investigate the relationship between sedentary behavior and CVD. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect sociodemographic and health information. Statistical analyses, including weighted t-tests, forest plots, logistic regression, and restricted cubic spline regression, were employed to examine the effects of sedentary time on CVD and related influencing factors. RESULTS: The findings indicated that prolonged sedentary time was significantly associated with an increased risk of CVD, particularly among individuals aged 60 and older (OR = 17.297, p < 0.001) Factors such as age, gender, and hyperlipidemia played a critical role in the relationship between sedentary behavior and CVD. Restricted cubic spline regression analysis revealed that CVD risk increased markedly after 250 min of sedentary time, with a pronounced rise after 750 min. Multivariate regression analysis also confirmed the negative impact of sedentary behavior on cardiovascular health. CONCLUSION: Sedentary behavior is a significant independent risk factor for CVD, and reducing sedentary time is associated with a lower CVD risk. Enhancing public awareness of the hazards of sedentary behavior and implementing effective interventions, especially for the elderly, may contribute to improved cardiovascular health.