The association between physical activity and neck circumference with cardiovascular disease risk in older wheelchair users.

Objective: To examine the association between physical activity, neck circumference, and cardiovascular disease risk in older wheelchair users.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Subjects/patients: Sixty-one Korean wheelchair users aged 50 years and older.

Methods: Physical activity was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Neck circumference was measured with a tape ruler. Cardiovascular disease risk was evaluated by calculating the Framingham risk score (FRS) for estimating 10-year cardiovascular disease risk, which was classified as low-moderate (19% or less) or high risk (20% or more).

Results: The FRS for 10-year cardiovascular disease risk was inversely related to physical activity (beta [SE] = -0.213 (0.103), p = 0.043) and positively related to neck circumference (beta [SE] = 1.331 ± 0.419, p = 0.003). Binary logistic regression showed that those with low physical activity (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 4.256 (1.188~15.243), p = 0.026) or a large neck circumference (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 3.645 (1.172~11.338), p = 0.025) had a higher risk for high cardiovascular disease risk compared with those with high physical activity or normal neck circumference.

Conclusion: The current study findings suggest that an intervention targeting physical inactivity and upper-body obesity should be implemented to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in older wheelchair users.