Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Associations of Lifestyle Behaviors with Pericardial Adipose Tissue: The MESA Study

Abstract

Purpose: We examined associations of sedentary behavior (SB), light-intensity physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) with pericardial adipose tissue (PAT).

Methods: Adults from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis were included from exam years 1 (2000-2002; N = 6057; mean age, 62.2 yr; 52.9% female, 38.0% White; 12.8% Chinese American, 26.7% African American, 22.5% Hispanic American), 2 (2002-2004), and 3 (2004-2005). Weekly volume of SB, LPA, and MVPA (in MET-hours per week) was reported using a questionnaire. PAT volume (in cubic centimeters) was quantified using computed tomography, analysis of covariance, and repeated-measures linear mixed models with adjustment for covariates (sociodemographics, cardiovascular disease risk factors, inflammation, waist circumference) tested cross-sectional and longitudinal associations, respectively.

Results: In cross-sectional analysis, the highest tertile of SB (β = 2.71; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.69 to 4.73; P < 0.01) and the middle tertile of MVPA (β = -1.97; 95% CI, -3.92 to -0.02; P < 0.05) were associated with PAT, whereas no association was observed for LPA in fully adjusted models. In longitudinal models, SB, LPA, and MVPA were not associated with PAT in the full study sample; however, LPA was inversely associated with PAT among Whites in stratified analysis (β = -0.54; 95% CI, -0.95 to -0.13; P < 0.05).

Conclusions: Lower SB and higher LPA (among Whites only) and MVPA may be associated with lower PAT, but additional longitudinal research is needed.

Figure 1.. Flow diagram of analytical study participant selection, MESA, 2000–2005

Abbreviations: PA, physical activity; CT, computed tomography; PAT, pericardial adipose tissue.

Figure 2.. Multivariable-adjusted associations between tertile of sedentary behavior and pericardial adipose tissue at baseline (2000–2002), MESA

Note: Tertile cutoff points (MET-h/week): Tertile 1 (referent) ≤ 17.5; 17.6 ≤ Tertile 2 ≤ 32.5; Tertile 3 ≥ 32.6. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01. Model 1 adjusts for sociodemographic factors (sex, age, race/ethnicity, field center, education, employment status). Model 2 adjusts for Model 1, plus medication use (hypertensive and blood lipids lowering), CVD risk factors (smoking status, systolic and diastolic BP, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C, diabetes status, diet quality score), LPA, and MVPA. Model 3 adjusts for Model 2, plus inflammatory cytokines (CRP, IL-6). Model 4 adjusts for Model 3, plus waist circumference. Abbreviations: SEE, standard error of the estimate; PAT, pericardial adipose tissue; SB, sedentary behavior; CVD, cardiovascular disease; BP, blood pressure; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; LPA, light-intensity physical activity; MVPA, moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity; MET, metabolic equivalent task; CRP, c-reactive protein; IL-6, interleukin-6.

Figure 3.. Multivariable-adjusted associations between tertile of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity and pericardial adipose tissue at baseline (2000–2002), MESA

Note: Tertile cutoff points (MET-h/week): Tertile 1 (referent) ≤ 42.3; 42.4 ≤ Tertile 2 ≤ 100.8; Tertile 3 ≥ 100.8. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 Model 1 adjusts for sociodemographic factors (sex, age, race/ethnicity, field center, education, employment status). Model 2 adjusts for Model 1, plus medication use (hypertensive and blood lipids lowering), CVD risk factors (smoking status, systolic and diastolic BP, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C, diabetes status, diet quality score), SB, and LPA. Model 3 adjusts for Model 2, plus inflammatory cytokines (CRP, IL-6). Model 4 adjusts for Model 3, plus waist circumference. Abbreviations: SEE, standard error of the estimate; PAT, pericardial adipose tissue; CVD, cardiovascular disease; BP, blood pressure; HDL-C, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; SB, sedentary behavior; LPA, light-intensity physical activity; MET, metabolic equivalent task; CRP, c-reactive protein; IL-6, interleukin-6.