Background: Sedentary behavior is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We investigated this association of sedentary time and physical activity with increased 10-year CVD risk in Korean adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014-2017). In total, 14,551 participants aged 30-74 years (6,323 men, 8,228 women) were analyzed. The usual length of sedentary time per day was categorized into three groups (<6, 6-<9, or ≥9 h/d), and physical activity (metabolic equivalents [METs]•min/wk) was categorized into two groups (low, <600 METs•min/wk; moderate/high, ≥600 METs•min/wk). Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between sedentary time and increased CVD risk (predicted 10-year risk ≥10%). Adjusted variables were age, sex, body mass index, marital status, employment, household income, alcohol use, family history of CVD, and comorbidity (hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia). Results: The average sedentary time for the 14,551 participants was 7.49 h/d, with an average 10-year CVD risk of 9.58%. There was no significant association between sedentary time and increased 10-year CVD risk in the moderate/high physical activity group. In the low physical activity group, sedentary time ≥9 h/d had a significant association with increased CVD risk (odds ratio [OR], 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.62). However, when the sedentary time was <6 h/d, no significant associations were found (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.92-1.49). Conclusion: In the low physical activity group, reduction of sedentary time might be important for preventing increased CVD risk.

INTRODUCTION Every year, at least half of the smokers in South Korea attempt to quit smoking. However, the Korean smoking rate remains still high among OECD countries. This study aimed to identify the factors that influence the success of smoking cessation efforts. METHODS The study included 1395 smokers, who participated in a 12-week program comprising doctor counseling and pharmacological treatment (i.e. varenicline), conducted at smoking cessation clinics in two general hospitals from 2015 to 2019. The participants responded to a survey questionnaire inquiring about their smoking behaviors at the first visit to the clinic. After completing the program, they were asked whether they succeeded in smoking cessation. Based on participants' reported success or failure, multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to obtain adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors related to smoking cessation success. RESULTS Following the 12-week program, 39.6% of the participants (n=553) succeeded in smoking cessation. Lower rates of nicotine dependence (AOR=0.73; 95% Cl: 0.54-0.98) and lower total amounts of smoking (AOR=0.67; 95% Cl: 0.47-0.95) were significantly associated with higher success rates in smoking cessation. In addition, smokers who participated in the program for at least 8 weeks (AOR=7.16; 95% Cl: 5.57-9.20) and smokers who had hypertension (AOR=1.40; 95% Cl: 1.07-1.85) or a cardiovascular disease (AOR=1.68; 95% Cl: 1.03-2.75) achieved higher success rates. CONCLUSIONS Smokers' success in smoking cessation was influenced by the period of visits to the smoking cessation clinic, the severity of nicotine dependence, and the presence of a cardiovascular disease including hypertension. Using these factors, smoking cessation strategy may be improved and personalized for individuals.

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Background: Physical activity (PA) in postmenopausal women provides some relief of menopausal symptoms and improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study used a cross-sectional database to investigate the association between PA level and HRQoL in postmenopausal Korean women.Methods: This study investigated 8,122 postmenopausal women who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI to VII (2014–2018). Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and Euro quality of life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire were used to collect data about the participants’ PA level and HRQoL. The adjusted Odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for each dimensional problem of EQ-5D were derived using multi-variable logistic regression. Mean EQ-5D index scores were compared according to PA level groups.Results: The aORs of each dimension of HRQoL of low PA group versus moderate PA group were 0.67 (95% CI 0.57–0.78) for mobility, 0.71 (95% CI 0.55–0.92) for self-care, 0.64 (95% CI 0.53–0.78) for daily activities, and 0.75 (95% CI 0.66–0.86) for pain/discomfort. Mean EQ–5D scores of the moderate PA (0.927 ± 0.120 vs. 0.884 ± 0.163, P < 0.001) and high PA (0.913 ± 0.144 vs. 0.884 ± 0.163, P = 0.023) groups were significantly higher than that of the low PA group.Conclusions: PA level was found to be associated with better HRQoL among postmenopausal Korean women. This was especially significant in participants who were participating with a moderate level of PA. Additional studies are needed to analyze the persistence and long-term effects of PA on HRQoL.