BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of risk factors that predispose individuals to cardiovascular disease. Therapeutic lifestyle changes, including increased physical activity, are recommended for the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical activity in daily life and the prevalence of MS in Japanese.
METHODS: The subjects included 77 men and 58 women aged 30-60 years who were participants in Japanese. We measured metabolic syndrome risk factor and physical activity. The physical activity was measured for a period of 1 week using a triaxial accelerometer for movement registration (Omron Healthcare. co.). MS was classified using criteria modified from the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel Ⅲ (NECEP-ATP Ⅲ). The relationship between physical activity and MS was assessed using logistic regression after adjustment for sex and age.
RESULTS: A total of 31.9% of participants has MS. The prevalence of MS and component risk factors was markedly lower in physically active compared with those who were physically inactivity (p<0.05). Total steps did not differ significantly between with and without MS. However, physical activity of >3METs was significantly higher in Without MS group (p<0.01). Logistic regression showed that additional physical activity per week (10METs・h/week, >=3METs) decreased the odds of MS by about 0.55 (95%CI: 0.331-0.911, p<0.01).
CONCLUSION: Physical activity was associated with lower odds of MS, particularly in Japanese. Further research is required to determine the effectiveness of increased physical activity in the MS.