Association Between Prolonged Sedentary Time and Elevated High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein Among Korean Adults Aged 65 Years or Older: KNHANES 2022

Objectives: Sedentary behavior has emerged as a health risk factor distinct from insufficient physical activity. This study examined the association between sedentary time and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, among Korean older adults. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among 1,667 participants aged 65 years or older with available hs-CRP measurements, 496 with leukocyte counts ≥10,000 cells/mm³ or hs-CRP levels ≥10.0 mg/L were excluded, yielding a final sample of 1,171 participants. hs-CRP levels ≥1.0 mg/L were classified as abnormal. Differences in the prevalence of abnormal hs-CRP were assessed using the chi-square test, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between sedentary time and abnormal hs-CRP after adjustment for covariates. Results: The prevalence of abnormal hs-CRP was higher among participants who did not engage in regular walking (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 1.46) and those with adverse cardiometabolic profiles, including elevated blood pressure, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, and abdominal obesity. It was also higher among participants with sedentary time ≥10 hours per day (PR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.41). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, prolonged sedentary time remained associated with abnormal hs-CRP levels after adjustment for covariates (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.71). Conclusions: Prolonged sedentary time was independently associated with elevated hs-CRP levels among Korean adults aged 65 years or older. Accordingly, sedentary behavior reduction may be a useful target for chronic disease prevention strategies in older populations.