Physical Activity Types Of General And Metabolic Syndrome Positive Populations

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is the grouping of several cardiometabolic indices elevating risk of morbidity and mortality. Physical activity (PA) beneficially impacts MetS; however, it is unclear what PA types (i.e., walking, soccer, etc.) MetS-positive individuals engage in, and how this compares with the general population. PURPOSE: To compare self-reported PA types between MetS-positive individuals and the general population. METHODS: Using 2015-2016 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) data, 792 individuals with no missing cardiometabolic data were classified as MetS positive (ATP-III criteria). PA in the past seven days was reported from a list, with the option to provide an unlisted response. Although not a perfect comparison, 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data provide the most recent published general population data for comparison. BRFSS respondents reported the two most usual PAs and frequency of participation. Both NHANES and BRFSS collected data on typical participation levels of PA. Descriptive statistics for MetS-positive individuals were calculated and chi-square goodness of fit was used to compare prevalence of PA type with the general population. RESULTS: Most MetS-positive individuals did not report any PA type (n = 780, 97.5%). MetS-positive individuals versus the general population self-reported PA types were: active video gaming (0.63% vs. 0.4%), football (0.55% vs. 0.2%), walking (0.45% vs. 47.4%), roller blading (0.20% vs. 1.4%), running (0.20% vs. 13.4%), basketball (0.18% vs. 2.1%), soccer (0.17% vs. 1.1%), aerobics (0.05% vs. 4.4%), and bike riding (0.05% vs. 4.8%), respectively. The general population had a greater prevalence for all PAs with significant difference in the observed and expected prevalence (p < 0.001). Active video gaming and walking were the most prevalent PAs among MetS-positive individuals and the general population, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although significantly higher in the general population, the relatively low prevalence of PA in both populations is concerning, but especially so for MetS-positive individuals already at increased cardiometabolic risk. The relatively greater proportion of active video gaming may be an area of interest to increase PA engagement and subsequently improve health.