Leisure-Time Physical Activity & The Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

0085 There is evidence that shows PA has a beneficial effect on the metabolic syndrome; however, little is known about the dose or type of PA that will elicit the greatest effect on the metabolic syndrome. PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and the metabolic syndrome in 7,181 men (M = 42, SEM = 0.45 years old) and 8,245 women (M = 44, SEM = 0.52 years old) enrolled in NHANES III between the years 1988 to 1994. METHODS: LTPA was classified as inactivite (no LTPA), irregularly active (≤ 5 days • week-1 of moderate-intensity LTPA nd/or ≤ 3 days • week-1 of vigorous-intensity LTPA), or regularly active (≥ 5 days • week-1 of moderate-intensity LTPA and/or ≥ 3 days • week-1 of vigorous-intensity LTPA). The metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of three or more of the following factors: (a) visceral obesity, (b) elevated triglycerides, (c) low HDL-C, (d) elevated blood pressure, and (e) elevated fasting glucose levels. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between LTPA and the metabolic syndrome adjusting for age, sex, race, and educational attainment. RESULTS: Inactivity was related to a 30% increase in the metabolic syndrome. A dose response relationship was suggested between levels of LTPA and the metabolic syndrome (inactive: OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.64; irregular: OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 0.97, 1.49; p = 0.075). An inactive lifestyle was also related to an increase in visceral obesity (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.31, 2.04) and elevated blood pressure (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.03, 1.64). Irregularly active adults had a 34% increased risk for visceral obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Inactivity increases the risk for the metabolic syndrome and its related components. A trend was observed for an increased risk by level of LTPA and the metabolic syndrome.