Diabetes Metab J.  2013 Apr;37(2):132-139. 10.4093/dmj.2013.37.2.132.

Low Levels of Physical Activity Are Associated with Increased Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in Korean Adults

• Lee DH
• Kim YM
• Jekal Y
• Park S
• Kim KC
• Naruse M
• Kim SH
• Kim SH
• Park JH
• Lee MK
• Chu SH
• Jeon JY

• KMID: 2280715
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2013.37.2.132

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Low levels of physical activity (PA) are strongly associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and chronic diseases. However, few studies have examined this association in Koreans. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the associations between PA and MetS risks in Korean adults.
METHODS
A total of 1,016 Korean adults (494 males and 522 females) participated in this study. PA levels were assessed using the International PA Questionnaire. MetS risk factors were determined using clinically established diagnostic criteria.
RESULTS
Compared with the highest PA group, the group with the lowest level of PA was at greater risk of high triglyceride (TG) in males (odds ratio [OR], 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 3.24) and of hemoglobin A1c > or =5.5% in females (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.00 to 3.04) after adjusting for age and body mass index. Compared with subjects who met the PA guidelines, those who did not meet the guidelines were more likely to have low high density lipoprotein cholesterol in both males (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.11 to 2.58), and females (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.77). Furthermore, those who did not meet the PA guidelines were at increased risk of high TG levels in males (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.23 to 2.86) and abnormal fasting glucose (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.17 to 3.20) and MetS (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.15 to 3.84) in females.
CONCLUSION
Increased levels of PA are significantly associated with a decreased risk of abnormal MetS components.

Keyword

Hemoglobin A, glycosylated; International physical activity guestionnaire; Metabolic syndrome; Physical activity

MeSH Terms

Adult
Body Mass Index
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, HDL
Chronic Disease
Fasting
Female
Glucose
Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated
Hemoglobins
Humans
Lipoproteins
Male
Motor Activity
Risk Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, HDL
Glucose
Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated
Hemoglobins
Lipoproteins

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Odd ratios (ORs) for metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors according to current physical activity (PA) recommendations. (A) Males. (B) Females. Adjusted for age and body mass index. Reference group: those who met the PA recommendations. BP, blood pressure; HDL-C, high density lipoprotein cholesterol; WC, waist circumference; TG, triglyceride; HbA1c, hemoglobin A1c.

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