Is Active Transport and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Associated With Inflammatory Markers in US Adults? A Cross-Sectional Analyses From NHANES

NHANES-based analysis of the correlation between leisure-time physical activity, serum cotinine levels and periodontitis risk

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of leisure-time physical activity and serum cotinine levels with the risk of periodontitis in the general population and to further analyze the interaction between leisure-time physical activity and serum cotinine levels on the risk of periodontitis.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study, extracting data from 9605 (56.19%) participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2009 to 2014, and analyzing the relationship and interaction effects of serum cotinine level, leisure time physical activity, and risk of periodontitis by weighted univariate logistic modeling; Effect sizes were determined using ratio of ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

5,397 (56.19%) of 9,605 participants had periodontitis; an increased risk of periodontitis was found in those in the leisure time physical activity intensity < 750 MET × min/week group (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.17-1.78). Serum cotinine levels ≥ 0.05 ng/ml were associated with an increased risk of periodontitis (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.69-2.33). The group with low leisure physical activity and serum cotinine levels ≥ 0.05 ng/ml had an increased risk of periodontitis compared to the group with high leisure physical activity and serum cotinine levels < 0.05 ng/ml (OR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.88-3.27). Interaction metrics RERI = 0.90 (95% CI: 0.44-1.36) and API = 0.36 (95% CI: 0.18-0.55); CI for SI = 2.55 (95% CI: 1.03-6.28). for API 0.36.

CONCLUSION

Leisure time physical activity intensity interacted with smoking exposure on periodontitis risk and may provide the general population with the opportunity to Increasing leisure-time physical activity and smoking cessation may provide recommendations for the general population.

Association between active commuting and low-grade inflammation: a population-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Prior studies suggest that physical activity lowers circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. However, little is known about the association between regular active commuting, i.e. walking or cycling to work, and CRP concentrations. This study examines whether active commuting is associated with lower CRP.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study using population-based FINRISK data from 1997, 2002, 2007 and 2012. Participants were working adults living in Finland (n = 6208; mean age = 44 years; 53.6% women). We used linear and additive models adjusted for potential confounders to analyze whether daily active commuting, defined as the time spent walking or cycling to work, was associated with lower high-sensitivity (hs-) CRP serum concentrations compared with passive commuting.

RESULTS

We observed that daily active commuting for 45 min or more (vs. none) was associated with lower hs-CRP [% mean difference in the main model: -16.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI) -25.6% to -7.0%), and results were robust to adjustment for leisure-time and occupational physical activity, as well as diet. Similarly, active commuting for 15-29 min daily was associated with lower hs-CRP in the main model (-7.4; 95% CI -14.1 to -0.2), but the association attenuated to null after further adjustments. In subgroup analyses, associations were only observed for women.

CONCLUSIONS

Active commuting for at least 45 min a day was associated with lower levels of low-grade inflammation. Promoting active modes of transport may lead not only to reduced emissions from motorized traffic but also to population-level health benefits.

Accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour are associated with C-reactive protein in US adults who get insufficient sleep: A threshold and isotemporal substitution effect analysis

This study aimed to investigate the association between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and chronic inflammation in short sleep adults. The study included 2,113 NHANES participants with self-reported insufficient sleep. C-reactive protein (CRP) was used as the inflammatory biomarker. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour were objectively measured by accelerometers. Weighted regression model, two - piecewise linear regression model, and restricted cubic splines were applied to evaluate associations mentioned above. An isotemporal substitution model was used to assess the modelled effects of replacing sedentary time (ST) with moderate-to-vigorous levels of physical activity (MVPA) or light physical activity (LPA). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, higher levels of ST and lower levels of LPA or MVPA were associated with higher CRP levels. Isotemporal substitution analysis indicated that replacing 30 minutes of ST with 30 minutes of MVPA was associated with a significant decrease in CRP levels. Saturation analysis suggested that the association between MVPA and CRP may plateau at over 20 minutes of MVPA per day. Findings of this study provides insight into the potential benefits of replacing ST with MVPA. This study also suggests that increasing MVPA beyond a certain point may not provide additional anti-inflammatory benefits in a short sleep population.

Is walking or riding your bike when a tourist different? Applying VAB theory to better understand active transport behavior

Active transport (walking and biking) has significant environmental, health, and social benefits. Despite the importance of active transport, theoretically framed research has not sufficiently considered what makes consumers walk or bike based on activity types, particularly in an Asian context. This is an important topic as it helps provides a basis for better targeted marketing and promotion to encourage greater public engagement with active transport. To fill this knowledge gap, this work applied the value-attitude-behavior (VAB) theory to understand walkers and bikers' behaviors in comparing tourism, leisure, and work activity. Results indicate that value on attitude has the greatest influence, followed by personal, and then social norm. Behavior for active transport is significantly influenced by personal norm, followed by attitude and social norm. Interestingly, from the three types of activities, the tourism group has the strongest relationship of value and attitude and the highest prediction for attitude and behavior.