A community-based cohort study: the incidence of MS and exercise behavior change in Taiwan

Abstract

Abstract Background Recently, there has been renewed interest in metabolic syndrome (MS) and exercise. In the past 3 years, most of the research articles discussed the relationship between MS and exercise focused on the intervention methods such as diet and medicine. Limited research showed the evidence about exercise behavior change naturally and the incidence of MS. Using community-based integrated screening in Changhua County (CH-CIS), the purpose of this study was to clarify the relationships between exercise behavior change and the incidence of MS. Methods We used secondary data from CH-CIS database from 2006 to 2018. In the 13 years, a total of 164299 people enrolled. In order to understand the incidence of MS, we excluded (1) those who self-reported MS at first records, and (2) those who participated just once. Remaining 22915 participants were included in the following analysis. Incidence of MS was based on the results of biochemical examination in the last CH-CIS. Exercise habits were self-reported from screening questionnaire and were divided into 4 group: (1)never、(2)irregular、(3)regular but insufficient and (4)regular and sufficient. The change of exercise habit was defined as comparing the first and the last record. Using SAS software (version 9.4). Logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the associations between exercise behavior changes and incident of MS. The experimental protocol was accepted by the IRB of CSMU Hospital. Results The incidence rate of MS was 3.24%(n = 4036) in the CH-CIS participants during 2006 to 2018. Comparing with consistent regular exercise, those exercise habit change from regular to irregular had significantly more likely to get MS(OR = 1.19; 95% CI=1.02-1.33) after adjusting for other control variables such as social demographic factors and other health-related behaviors. Conclusions Exercise habits change getting worse from regular to irregular are more likely to have MS than who still keep regular exercise. Key messages Exercise habit changes have an important relationship with MS incident, especially changes from regular to irregular in exercise habits. The incidence rate of MS was 3.24% in the CH-CIS participants during 2006 to 2018.