Effect of physical activity on the cardiometabolic profiles of non-obese and obese subjects: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey.

Sang Joon An,Ho-Joong Youn,Sang-Hyun Ihm,Mi-Hyang Jung,Yun-Jung Yang,Ying-Mei Feng

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208189

Abstract

BackgroundPhysical inactivity is an important but often neglected risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that physical inactivity might have deleterious effects on metabolic health in obese and non-obese subjects.MethodsWe evaluated the effect of physical activity on the cardiometabolic profiles of a nationwide cohort of non-obese and obese individuals who did not have overt cardiovascular diseases. A total of 3,830 study subjects were divided into two groups based on their body mass index (BMI). Within each BMI group, participants were divided according to their physical activity level. To ascertain their cardiometabolic profiles, we collected data regarding the homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level.ResultsPhysically inactive subjects demonstrated markedly elevated HOMA-IR index and heart rates in each BMI category, even after adjustments for baseline covariates. They also tended to have worse profiles for HDL-cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and hsCRP levels. A significant elevation in cardiometabolic risk was noted across the four physical activity/obesity groups (p<0.05). HOMA-IR index was largely affected by obesity, but within each BMI category, physical inactivity independently elevated the risk for worsening insulin resistance. In addition, physical inactivity significantly increased the risk of elevated heart rate in both non-obese and obese individuals. Notably, the detrimental effect of physical activity on heart rate was not modified by obesity.ConclusionsPhysical activity was associated with favorable cardiometabolic risk profiles with regard to insulin resistance status and heart rate level in both BMI groups. Our results suggest that increasing physical activity could be a helpful strategy for improving the cardiometabolic health in the Korean population, regardless of obesity status.

Highlights

Obesity is one of the top three diseases globally, with a continuously rising disease burden, according to the 2015 reports of the Global Burden of Disease Study [1]
homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was largely affected by obesity, but within each body mass index (BMI) category, physical inactivity independently elevated the risk for worsening insulin
The detrimental effect of physical activity on heart rate was not modified by obesity

Summary

Introduction

Obesity is one of the top three diseases globally, with a continuously rising disease burden, according to the 2015 reports of the Global Burden of Disease Study [1]. To effectively control the disease burden of obesity, an active lifestyle is needed. Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases and mortality [5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. In previous studies, only one-third of Asians were found to be physically active [13,14], and the prevalence of physical inactivity in Asia is increasing [14]. The mechanism through which physical activity confers a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health is unclear [15]. Physical inactivity is an important but often neglected risk factor for various cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that physical inactivity might have deleterious effects on metabolic health in obese and non-obese subjects

Methods

Results

Conclusion