| Title: | Associations between modifiable lifestyle risk factors and abdominal aortic calcification in the UK Biobank Imaging Study |
| Journal: | Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases |
| Published: | 9 Jun 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42321102/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2026.104843 |
| URL: | https://www.nmcd-journal.com/article/S0939-4753(26)00305-4/pdf |
Publication 20752
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Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) reflects subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), but its lifestyle determinants remain uncertain. We investigated how a Healthy Lifestyle Score (HLS) relates to AAC and whether AAC mediates the HLS-ASCVD association.</p>
METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants from the UK Biobank Imaging study were assessed for AAC from DXA images. A Healthy Lifestyle Score (HLS), based on smoking, physical activity, diet quality, alcohol consumption, sleep, and BMI was developed, and categorised as low, moderate and high. Cross-sectional associations with (i) any AAC (AAC≥1) and (ii) high AAC (AAC≥6) were analysed using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. The association between HLS and incident ASCVD over 6 years was assessed using Cox regression models. Mediation analysis examined the extent to which the HLS-ASCVD association was mediated by AAC. Among 27,818 participants (52% female; median age 65y), 33.5% had any AAC and 4.4% had high AAC. Compared to participants with a low HLS, those with moderate or high scores had 21% (95%CI: 60%-105%) and 66% (33%-59%) lower odds of having high AAC, respectively, and 10% (78%-104%) and 18% (0.71%-95%) lower odds of having any AAC, respectively. These associations were strongest in women and those younger than 65 years. During follow-up, a one-point increment in the HLS was associated with a 4% (0%-8%) lower rate of incident ASCVD. High AAC accounted for 20% (10%-48%) of this association.</p>
CONCLUSION: These findings suggest targeting specific modifiable lifestyle factors, especially earlier in life, may help prevent high AAC levels and subsequent risk of ASCVD.</p>
21 Authors
- Nicola P Bondonno
- Abadi K Gebre
- Benjamin H Parmenter
- Jonathan Hodgson
- Lauren C Blekkenhorst
- Catherine P Bondonno
- Richard Woodman
- John P Kemp
- James Webster
- Carl Schultz
- Cassandra Smith
- Afsah Saleem
- Syed Zulqarnain Gilani
- Emma L Duncan
- Joseph Hung
- Wai H Lim
- Parminder Raina
- John T Schousboe
- Nicholas C Harvey
- Marc Sim
- Joshua R Lewis
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 93712 | Machine Learning on Densitometric Imaging for Novel Cardiometabolic & Musculoskeletal Health Phenotypes of Disease and their Developmental Origins |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health