Abstract
Although consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) is suggested to reduce metabolic risk, there is a paucity of studies taking advantage of objectively assessed physical activity (PA) behaviors when exploring links between FV intake and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in older adults. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between FV intake and MetS prevalence in a population of older community-dwelling adults, while considering time spent being sedentary and health-enhancing PA. Prevalence of MetS was determined in a population of 93 men and 152 women (age: 65–70 years). FV intake was determined by self-report and PA behaviors (time spent in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and in sedentary) were assessed by accelerometry. Likelihood of having MetS by FV intake was determined using logistic regression with stepwise backward elimination including age, sex, educational level, total energy intake, adherence to MVPA guideline and total sedentary time as covariates. A main finding was that lower FV intakes were significantly related to higher prevalence of MetS (odds ratio [OR]: 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.47) after considering potential influences by covariates. Additionally, we found that lower intake of vegetables but not fruits was significantly related to higher prevalence of MetS (OR: 1.47; 95%CI: 1.04–2.07). In conclusion, lower intakes of FV in general, and of vegetables in particular, significantly increased likelihood of MetS, regardless of time spent sedentary and adherence to the MVPA guideline. From a public health perspective, our findings emphasize adequate intakes of FV as an independent contributor to metabolic health status in older adults.
Highlights
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a cluster of established risk factors, characterized by abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and disturbed blood lipid profile, predisposing development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases [1]
It has been shown that the prevalence of MetS in the US population has increased over the past decades across all sociodemographic groups [3]
It is globally recommended for adults to spend a minimum of 150 weekly minutes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) alongside minimizing time spent being sedentary [8]
Summary
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a cluster of established risk factors, characterized by abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, hyperglycemia, and disturbed blood lipid profile, predisposing development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases [1]. In term of preventive strategies, dietary and physical activity behaviors are two key lifestyle factors currently promoted by major health organizations in order to combat the age-related increased risk of metabolic disorders. In this respect, it is globally recommended for adults to spend a minimum of 150 weekly minutes in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) alongside minimizing time spent being sedentary [8]. Less evidence is available in aging populations and more importantly, the confounding effects by physical activity behaviors, encompassing time spent in different PA intensities, have often been overlooked This is unfortunate given the established impact of PA on metabolic risk outcomes [21].
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