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Leisure time physical activity, television watching, and arteriosclerosis risk factors

Marzieh Saeedi, Katayun Rabeie, Roya Kelishadi, Masoumeh Sadeghi, Hamidreza Ruhafza

Introduction
This study was conducted to examine the relationship between leisure time physical activity, television watching and arteriosclerosis risk factors.

Materials and methods
2171 females and 2016 males were selected randomly among individuals participating in Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP). Data were collected by questionnaires. Leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and television watching (TVW) were measured in MET-min and min/day, respectively. Variables were analyzed by t-test, multiple regression and logistic regression.

Results
LTPA had a significant negative relationship with waist circumference and cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in males, but there was no relationship between leisure time physical activity and risk factors of arteriosclerosis in females. Television watching did not have any relationship with risk factors of arteriosclerosis in females and males.

Conclusion
Leisure time physical activity had a negative relationship with some of the risk factors of arteriosclerosis; hence greater attention must be directed towards strategies encouraging physical activity. Further studies should be conducted in Iran about the relationship between TVW and risk factors of arteriosclerosis.