Dimensions of Objectively Measured Physical (in)Activity and Risk Factors for the Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Little is known about the association between objectively measured physical activity (PA) in different domains of daily life and the odds of having the metabolic syndrome (MS) or individual risk factors. PURPOSE: To determine the association between several domains of physical (in)activity and risk factors for the MS in Flemish employees. METHODS: Data was obtained from 442 men and women (22-64 yrs). PA was assessed during 7 days using a Sensewear armband and an electronic diary. Total PA and active energy expenditure (AEE, metmin/day ≥ 3 met) in multiple domains of daily life were analyzed. Participants were divided into tertiles of PA and classified as having the MS or individual risk factors using the NCEP-ATPIII definition. Spearman correlations and logistic regression were used to examine associations between PA and (risk factors for) the MS. Odds ratios (OR) were calculated against the reference group of the least active. Analyses were adjusted for gender, age, education, smoking and alcohol consumption. RESULTS: The MS was observed in 6% of subjects. Hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL levels, abdominal obesity and hyperglycemia was found in 39%, 16%, 13%, 11% and 2% of subjects respectively. Low correlation coefficients (-0.61 to 0.38) between PA and the risk factors were obtained. Subjects with a moderate or high PA level (met), high amounts of moderate, vigorous or total PA (min/day) or low sitting time had a lower odds of having the MS (OR: 0.12 - 0.24) or individual risk factors (OR: 0.02 - 0.55). Light PA was not associated with the MS or individual risk factors. Subjects with a moderate and high number of steps were less likely to have abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia or hypertension. The OR for abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL in the high leisure time AEE group was 0.42, 0.33 and 0.34 respectively. Subjects with moderate and high AEE during transport or household chores were less likely to have abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia or hypertension (OR: 0.16 - 0.66). In addition, the OR for low HDL in the high household AEE group was 0.15. High occupational AEE was only associated with hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 0.36). CONCLUSION: High levels of total PA or AEE during leisure time, transport and household chores were associated with lower odds of the MS and individual risk factors.