Computer use frequency and cardiovascular health in middle-aged and older adults

Author

Meilan HU, Singapore Management UniversityFollow
Shu Fen DIONG, Singapore Management UniversityFollow
K. T. A. Sandeeshwara KASTURIRATNA, Singapore Management UniversityFollow
Andree HARTANTO, Singapore Management UniversityFollow

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