Association of Leisure Time Physical Activity and Metabolic Syndrome over 40 Years

Abstract

Background

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between leisure time physical activities (LTPA) and metabolic syndrome (MS).

Methods

Five thousand seven hundred and thirty two adults 40 years old or older were enrolled in the study from April 2009 to December 2010. National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III was used for the criteria of MS, and Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to measure LTPA. After adjusted covariates (age, hypertension, smoking, drinking, education level, household income level, work time physical activities, and menopause for females), the relationship between LTPA and MS was analyzed using logistic regression analysis.

Results

The prevalence of MS was 22.8% in men, and 14.1% in women. Average LTPA was 1,498 kcal/wk in men, and 1,308 kcal/wk in women. After adjustment for covariates, the odds ratios of middle and low LTPA compared with high LTPA were 1.06 (0.87-1.34), 1.54 (1.08-1.75), for women, this same association was not seen in men. The prevalence of MS was 22.8% in men and 14.1% in women, and their LTPA burned 1,498 and 1,308 kcal/wk, respectively. When the odds ratio of MS for the high LTPA group was set at 1.0, the odds ratio of MS was 1.06 (0.87-1.34) in the middle LTPA group and 1.54 (1.08-1.75) in the low LTPA group in women, which showed that the MS risk increased when the LTPA was lower. This same association was not seen in men.

Conclusion

LTPA was independently associated with metabolic syndrome, but only for women.

INTRODUCTION

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V, 2010), the prevalence of obesity (body mass index, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) showed an increase of 25.1%, 31.6%, 34.7%, 35.3%, 35.8%, and 36.3%% for men and a slight decrease of 26.2%, 27.4%, 27.3%, 26.3%, 26.0%, and 24.8% for women in 1998, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2010, respectively. However, the rate of moderate to heavy physical activities decreased in both men and women, changing from 33.3% to 25.4% and 29.6% to 22.4% in 2005 and 2010, respectively.1) The shortage of physical activity was caused by the automation and industrialization of the modern society and has become a major cause of obesity and metabolic syndrome, and has been highlighted as a global health concern.2) Many study results have revealed that a shortage of physical activity is the actual cause of chronic diseases, and have recommended physical activity to prevent disease.3,4)

Metabolic syndrome (MS) refers to a group of disease conditions including hyperinsulinemia, lipid disorders, hypertension, and central obesity, and can be considered the prephase of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.5) MS is associated with the two to threefold rise of cardiovascular disease and the three to fourfold rise of type II diabetes.6) Recent epidemiologic studies have reported that moderate to higher intensity physical activities, including leisure time physical activities (LTPA), are effective for the prevention and alleviation of MS.7) A study reported that the increase in physical activity among the study subjects was related to the decrease in MS incidence,8) and other studies reported that increased physical activities reduced the risk factors of MS in the healthy participants.9,10)

The guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases recommends more than 30 minutes of moderate or higher intensity physical activity per day and a low-fat diet (containing less saturated fat and cholesterol).11) Domestic studies also reported an inverse relationship between physical activity and total mortality,12) lipid levels in the blood13) and the risk factors of coronary heart diseases.14) It was shown that patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, or MS had lower physical activity,15) and that the shortage of physical activity contributed to 3.7% of the health determination factors in South Koreans, independent from obesity.16)

In the studies on physical activity, comprehensive physical activities (including occupational tasks or leisure time) are the major concerns of measurement, but work time activities are difficult to measure due to their variety. Therefore, LTPA was used as representative physical activity in the studies or recommendations of physical activity.17) Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between LTPA and MS in people who visited for a medical check-up.

METHODS

1. Study Subjects

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 6,287 participants (1,980 men and 4,307 women) aged over 40 who visited the health examination center of a university hospital, from September 2006 to December 2012, who agreed to sign the informed-consent for this study. Participants were excluded if they had cardiovascular-related disease (n = 532; stroke, 72; myocardial infarction, 139; diabetes, 321) or incomplete answers (n = 23). As a result, a total of 5,732 participants (men, 1,703 and women, 4,029) were included. This study was reviewed and approved by the institutional review board at the Daegu Catholic University Hospital (CR-09-049-RES-04-R).

2. Method

1) General characteristics and lifestyle factors

Participants were interviewed about their demographic characteristics and lifestyle using a questionnaire.

2) Study tools

(1) Measurement of leisure time physical activity

The Korean version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire was used for LTPA measurements.18) Participants were asked about types, frequency and duration of LTPA (average h/d, number of d/mo, number of mo/last year; in the following four categories-walking, doing gymnastics or workouts, engaging in sports, and doing household activities). The kcal burned per week was calculated using the activity metabolic index, which allows the calories burned to be measured using the metabolic equivalent of tasks. The quartiles of LTPA in the men and women were obtained. The first quartile was named 'low LTPA'; the second and third quartiles, 'middle LTPA'; and the fourth quartile, 'high LTPA.'

(2) Physical measurement and blood test

Body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) was calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by square of height in meter. Waist circumference was measured at the midpoint between the lower margin of the rib cage and the upper margin of the iliac. Blood pressure was measured after at least 5 minutes of rest, using an automatic blood pressure monitor (FT500-R; Jawon Medical, Seoul, Korea), and the mean value was obtained after repeating the measurement. Blood samples were obtained from the brachial vein after at least eight hours of fasting. Fasting blood glucose (FBS) was measured using the hexokinase method, and triglycerides, total cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were measured via an enzymatic colorimetric assay.

(3) Definition of metabolic syndrome

For the definition of MS, the criteria of the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III, 2007)19) were followed when more than three of the five conditions were met: abdominal obesity (waist circumference: men ≥ 90 cm; women ≥ 80 cm); triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL or on medication; HDL cholesterol, men < 40 mg/dL, women < 50 mg/dL or on medication; hypertension, blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mm Hg or on medication; FBS ≥ 100 mg/dL or on medication.

(4) Covariates

Age, smoking (pack years), alcohol intake (g/d), LTPA, education level, household income level, and work time physical activity were included as covariates, as well as menopausal status in women. Pack years were obtained by multiplying average daily packs consumed and years of smoking. Participants were classified into current, past, and non-smoker.

For the assessment of drinking, the monthly drinking rate (based on KNHANES; average alcohol intake more than once/mo for the last year) was obtained, and participants more than the above range was considered a current drinker; less than the above range despite previous drinking history was considered a past drinker; and never was considered a non-drinker. For work time physical activities, the degree of physical activities at work was evaluated on a scale of 0 to 4, with 0 referring to no physical activities during work; 1, office work (mostly sedentary work); 2, working while standing or walking; 3, working with some physical labor; and 4, working with vigorous physical labor. Participants with a score of 1 were assigned to low work time activity; those with scores of 2 or 3, to moderate work time activity; and those with a score of 4, to high-work time activity. For education level, participants were classified into those with a lower than high school degree (less than 12 years); those with a high school degree or its equivalent (range, 12 to 15 years); and those with a college degree or higher (more than 15 years). For income level, the subjects were classified into those with an average monthly household income of less than one million; 1 to 3 million; and more than 3 million Korean won.

3) Data analysis

IBM SPSS ver. 19.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for data analysis, and P < 0.05 for significance analysis. The analysis was separately performed in men and women. General characteristics and lifestyle including LTPA were compared using linear-by-linear association and analysis of variance. Logistic regression analysis was performed to obtain odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of LTPA with MS, after adjusting for age, socioeconomic factors, lifestyle factors, and menopausal status in women.

RESULTS

1. General Characteristics (Men)

The prevalence of MS was 22.8% among all 1,703 subjects. The prevalence of MS in low LTPA accounted for 25.5%; middle LTPA, 50.0%; and high LTPA, 24.5%. There was no significant difference in MS prevalence according to the level of LTPA: low LTPA was 23.8%; middle LTPA, 22.0%; and high LTPA, 23.7%. The average age of participants increased with the increase in LTPA level: the ages were 52.5 ± 7.9 years, 53.4 ± 8.1 years, and 55.1 ± 8.1 years in low, middle, and high LTPA, respectively. Average energy consumption/wk was 21.8 ± 38.5 kcal, 992.6 ± 552.8 kcal, and 4,071.1 ± 2,032.4 kcal, respectively, and the high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was 0.20 ± 0.60, 0.18 ± 0.53, and 0.16 ± 0.40 in low, middle, and high LTPA, respectively. Low LTPA showed a higher amount of work time physical activities, a lower smoking rate, and a lower education level (Table 1).

Table 1.

General characteristics of study population of men

Values are presented as mean ± SD or number (%).

LTPA: leisure-time physical activity, Workact: work time physical activity.

^*Analyzed by analysis of variance. ^†Analyzed by chi-square test (linear-by-linear association).

2. General Characteristics (Women)

The prevalence of MS was 14.1% among all 4,029 subjects. The prevalence of MS in low LTPA accounted for 25.1%; middle LTPA, 50.2%; high LTPA, 24.7%. MS prevalence decreased with an increase in LTPA: low LTPA accounted for 15.1%; middle LTPA, 14.0%; and high LTPA, 13.0%, but was not significant. Average age of participants increased with increasing LTPA level: the ages were 50.7 ± 7.2 years, 52.3 ± 7.0 years, and 55.1 ± 8.1 years in low, middle, and high LTPA, respectively. Average energy consumption/week was 132.9 ± 101.9 kcal, 926.5 ± 428.6 kcal, and 3,269.6 ± 1,609.6 kcal, respectively, and the hs-CRP level was 0.23 ± 3.12, 0.13 ± 0.37, and 0.10 ± 0.24, in low, middle, and high LTPA, respectively. The low LTPA group showed a higher amount of work time physical activities, a higher smoking rate, and a lower education level (Table 2).

Table 2.

General characteristics of study population of women

Values are presented as mean ± SD or number (%).

LTPA: leisure-time physical activity, Workact: work time physical activity.

^*Analyzed by analysis of variance. ^†Analyzed by chi-square test (linear-by-linear association).

3. Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence by Age, Leisure Time Physical Activity, and Work Time Physical Activities in Men and Women

MS prevalence showed a rapid increase in women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s (including 70 years old), but there was no significant change in men. LTPA showed a linear increase with age in men; as for women, those in their 60s showed a slight decrease. The hs-CRP level increased with age in men and women, while the work time physical activities decreased with increasing age (Table 3).

Table 3.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, LTPA, high sensitivity C-reactive protein and work-time physical activity with age by gender

Values are presented as mean ± SD or number (%).

LTPA: leisure-time physical activity, Workact: work intensity of job (range of score, 0 to 4).

^*Analyzed by analysis of variance. ^†Analyzed by chi-square test (linear-by-linear association).

4. Relationship between Leisure Time Physical Activity and Metabolic Syndrome

Adjustment for covariates to investigate the relationship between LTPA level and MS. ORs (CI) of MS were 1.0, 1.06 (1.08-1.75), and 1.54 (0.87-1.34) in low, middle, and high LTPA in women, respectively, which showed increased MS risk with a decrease in LTPA. In men, the results were 1.0, 1.00 (0.89-1.70), and 1.34 (0.73-1.37) in the low, middle, and high LTPA groups, respectively, but were not significant (Table 4).

Table 4.

ORs (95% CIs) of LTPA with metabolic syndrome by logistic regression analysis

Adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol intake, education, house income, and workact (menopause in women).

ORs: odds ratios, CIs: confidence intervals, LTPA: leisure-time physical activity.

DISCUSSION

In this study, the risk of MS increased with lower LTPA in women, but not in men. For the association between smoking, drinking and LTPA level, an inverse relationship was found between smoking and MS in men; and drinking, education level and MS in women.

Previous studies showed the effectiveness of physical activities for cardiovascular disease, especially in women,20,21) and this study is also in line with such research. Recent meta-analyses, however, showed the effectiveness of physical activities in both men and women, despite the difference in the intensity of effectiveness (30% in men and 40% in women) for cardiovascular disease.22) When measuring physical activities, including work time physical activities and LTPA is ideal, but many studies use only LTPA due to the difficulty of measuring work time activity.17)

Effectiveness of LTPA for the prevention of cardiovascular disease has been reported in many studies. The Oslo study (a 28 year follow-up study of the local community) showed that in the middle or high LTPA group, the relative risk of MS was reduced to 0.65 (0.54-0.80) and that of diabetes to 0.68 (0.52-0.91) compared to the low LTPA group.23) A study on physical activities in patients with impaired glucose tolerance showed that middle or high LTPA was effective for the prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.24) A Finnish prospective study reported more reduction of MS incidence (in particular, FBS) in the middle or high LTPA group than in the low LTPA group even if there was no significant difference in the total energy consumption.25) In a recent study, through the detailed measurement of physical activities26) and comprehensive physical activities across four areas (during work, home, transportation, and leisure time), it was found that work time physical activities and LTPA both are effective.27)

Physical inactivity increases the incidence of chronic disease because optimization of energy consumption and insulin sensitivity is dependent on aerobic exercise.28) When physical activity increased, the insulin resistance improved within a short time, and triglycerides and HDL cholesterol also gradually improved.29) Although physical activity alone cannot explain the entire improvement in insulin resistance, it showed an independent influence on it even after other risk factors had been controlled.30) Physical activity reduces chronic disease incidence via the improvement of low-level inflammation. Exercise changes the transmission of signals for insulin secretion regardless of whether there is weight change, which improves insulin tolerance and is also considered to reduce the production of hs-CRP, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and tumor necrosis factors.31) Apart from the direct improvement of insulin resistance,32,33) physical activity also inhibits low-level inflammation.34,35) According to NCEP ATP III, a lifestyle change, including increased physical activity, reduces the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Other studies involving cardiovascular disease patients also showed the effectiveness of physical activity on MS and insulin resistance.36)

This study measured LTPA quantitatively using a questionnaire. LTPA and MS showed a significant inverse relationship in women, but not in men. The difference in MS prevalence based on LTPA in men and women may have been due to the difference in various factors including loading factors (such as genetic, sex hormones, health behavior related culture), age, and work time physical activities. The prevalence of MS increased rapidly with age in women, but not in men. LTPA increased especially in after age 60, and there was an inverse relationship between work time physical activities and LTPA.

The limitations of this study are as follows. First, as a cross-sectional study, it could not explain the causality between LTPA and MS. Second, recall bias about LTPA could not be excluded and classification bias may have occurred. Third, measurement uncertainty of work time physical activities might have caused classification bias. Lastly, there was no data on diet, one of the most influential factors, and as such, the relationship between LTPA and MS might have been attenuated. Despite the limitations, however, one strength of this study is that the relationship between LTPA and MS was analyzed after correcting for medical history, health-related behaviors, and work time physical activities of the subjects, which may have reduced the possibility of confounding errors.