Relationship between Change in Physical Activity and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Study

• Published in: Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 121 - 132
• Main Authors: Park, Doo Yong, Lee, On, Lee, Yong Ho, Lee, Chung Gun, Kim, Yeon Soo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society for the Study of Obesity 01.06.2024; 대한비만학회
• Subjects: aged; cohort studies; exercise; metabolic syndrome; Original; proportional hazards models; 가정의학; Aged; Exercise; Metabolic syndrome; Proportional hazards models; Cohort studies
• ISSN: 2508-6235; 2508-7576; 2508-7576
• DOI: 10.7570/jomes24007

This study investigates the relationship between changes in physical activity levels and risk of metabolic syndrome. This study examined 1,686 adults aged 40 to 69 years from a community-based cohort study with complete 1st to 4th follow-up data between 2011 and 2020. Changes in physical activity were evaluated through baseline and follow-up surveys using physical activity questionnaires. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. A survival analysis was conducted using a multivariate extended Cox regression model with a significance level set at <0.05. Participants were divided into groups according to physical activity levels. The newly inactive group (vigorous physical activity ≤150 minutes at first follow-up) had a 36% increase in the hazard ratio (HR) for metabolic syndrome compared with the consistently inactive group (≤150 minutes at both baseline and first follow-up) (HR, 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04 to 1.79). The newly active group (walking ≤420 minutes per week at baseline and >420 minutes per week at first follow-up) had a 25% decrease in the HR for metabolic syndrome compared with the consistently inactive group (walking ≤420 minutes per week at both baseline and first follow-up) (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.98). Changes in physical activity levels are associated with risk of metabolic syndrome. These results provide important insights for future investigations into the link between physical activity changes and disease occurrence.