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

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 (beta = 2.71; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.69 to 4.73; P < 0.01) and the middle tertile of MVPA (beta = -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 (beta = -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.

Automated summary

This study investigated the associations between sedentary behavior, light-intensity physical activity, and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity with pericardial adipose tissue. The study found that lower sedentary behavior, higher light-intensity physical activity (among Whites only), and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity may be associated with lower pericardial adipose tissue.