Publication Type
Journal Article
Version
publishedVersion
Publication Date
12-2024
Abstract
With increased computer usage amongst midlife and older adults, concerns are emerging with regards to the potential adverse health effects of computer use given the sedentary habits it may encourage. The current study aims to investigate the relationship between computer use and cardiovascular risk in midlife and older adults. From the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States II: Biomarker Project (2004–2009) and the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS II), 2004–2006, we examined five cardiovascular risk biomarkers—high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein—in relation to self-reported general computer use frequency and computer use at work frequency. Our results show that general computer use frequency and computer use at work frequency were not significant predictors of any of the five cardiovascular risk biomarkers—HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein. However, our exploratory analysis showed that employment status significantly moderated the relationship between general computer use frequency and LDL cholesterol. Our study highlights the importance of a more nuanced approach to understanding the health implications of computer use and sedentary behaviour in general.
Keywords
Computer use, Cardiovascular disease, Midlife adults, Older adults, Technology use, Sedentary behaviour
Discipline
Communication Technology and New Media | Gerontology | Social Psychology
Research Areas
Psychology
Areas of Excellence
Digital transformation
Publication
Computers in Human Behavior Reports
Volume
16
First Page
1
Last Page
12
ISSN
2451-9588
Identifier
10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100502
Publisher
Elsevier
Citation
HU, Meilan, DIONG, Shu Fen, KASTURIRATNA, K. T. A. Sandeeshwara, & HARTANTO, Andree.(2024). Computer use frequency and cardiovascular health in middle-aged and older adults. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 16, 1-12.
Available at: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/soss_research/4068
Copyright Owner and License
Authors
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.
Additional URL
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2024.100502
Included in
Communication Technology and New Media Commons, Gerontology Commons, Social Psychology Commons