Leisure-Time Physical Activity is Associated with a Reduced Risk for Metabolic Syndrome
Received 26 December 2008; accepted 10 June 2009.
Purpose
The objective of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional relationship between leisure-time physical activity and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the Korean population.
Methods
The study population included 11,925 participants (6,878 men and 5,047 women), aged 30–79 years. Metabolic syndrome was defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria of having three or more cardiovascular risk factors, with a modified obesity index. Self-reported leisure-time physical activity was calculated using metabolic equivalents (MET) scores. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between leisure-time physical activity and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, with adjustment for other risk factors.
Results
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 18.2% in men and 8.5% in women. After adjustments for age and education levels, household income, smoking status, and alcohol consumption, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among participants in the middle and top tertiles of leisure-time physical activity was significantly lower than that among those with no physical activity; the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.84 (0.71–0.99) and 0.75 (0.62–0.89), respectively, in men and 0.54 (0.39–0.76) and 0.65 (0.48–0.88), respectively, in women.
Conclusions
These results suggest that increasing levels of leisure-time physical activity, in terms of duration or intensity, are linearly associated with a reduced risk for metabolic syndrome.
aCancer Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Management, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, Korea
bDepartment of Public Health, The Graduate School, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
cMetabolic Syndrome Research Initiatives, Seoul, Korea
dInstitute for Health Promotion, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
eDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Environment, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
Address correspondence to: Professor Aesun Shin, National Cancer Center, Cancer Epidemiology Branch, 111 Jungbalsanro Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyonggi-do 410-769, Republic of Korea. Tel: 82-31-920-2571. Fax: 82-31-920-2579.
ABSTRACT