We determined the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among military police officers (MPOs) from the radio patrol program of the Military Police of Sao Paulo State (PMESP). Towards this goal, we analyzed the following characteristics: shift duty (daytime or nighttime patrol), service length in the PMESP, education level attained, weekly alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity of 93 MPOs. The MPO groups were created based on work shift [daytime (n=48) or nighttime (n=45)], and years of MPO experience [≤3 years (n=48) or ≥10 years (n=45)]. The overall prevalence of MetS among the 93 MPOs was 43%. There was a higher prevalence of MetS in the group with ≥ten years (53.3%) than that with ≤three years (33.3%); so, 1,6 times higher. The more prevalent MetS indicators (n=93) included waist circumference (76.3%), hypertension (55.9%), reduced plasma HDL-cholesterol levels (44%), hypertriglyceridemia (32.2%), and hyperglycemia (20.4%). Greater waist circumference, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, higher glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, and MetS itself were associated with the service length (i.e., ≥ten years). The work shift was not associated with any MetS indicator. Those who were overweight or obese were 2.2. times more likely to develop MetS. Hypertriglyceridemia, the best indicator of the MetS, increased the chance of developing MetS by 16 times. Conclusion: MPOs exhibit a high prevalence of MetS, associated with the years of service and age.

We evaluated the working number steps (STEPS) of 25 military police officers (MPOs: day shift n = 14 and night shift n = 11) from the Military Police of São Paulo State (PMESP) while patrolling São Paulo city center and its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) indicators. The participants' body composition and anthropometric parameters: body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and clinical and laboratory data: systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, and fasting plasma levels of glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TG), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were also measured. According to the number of steps taken during the daily 12 h working period, the MPOs were divided into three groups: 600-2,000, 2,001-8,000, and >8,000 steps. On average, each participant took 5169 ± 614 steps per 12 h shift. While MPOs from the night shift walked 25% more than the day shift (6188±1069 vs. 4367±664), this difference was not statistically significant. Notably, the BMI, FFM (13.4%), SMM (14.5%), plasma HDL-cholesterol levels (32.2%), and DBP (19.1%) were significantly higher in group 1 compared to the other two groups. Furthermore, reduced physical activity, age, BMI, and tenure at PMESP were associated with increased MetS indicators. Overall, MPOs performing less than 2,000 steps per shift presented marked changes in body composition and plasma measurements and a higher MetS prevalence (64%) than those who were more physically active.

Obesity is related to the establishment of chronic inflammation and metabolic diseases, but it can be positively influenced by the regular practice of physical activity. The study aimed to compare the anthropometric, metabolic, and inflammatory parameters of physically active Military Police Officers (MPOs) with those who are less physically active. Sixty male MPOs, low activity (n=28) and physically active (n=32) participated. The following parameters were measured: plasma cytokine levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, circulating glucose triglyceride (TAG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, and plasma glutamic oxalacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamic-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities. The physically active group presented lower body fat and reduced TAG and IL-8 levels compared to the low activity group. Moreover, a negative correlation between SPE and SBP, DBP, BPM was detected for the physically active group (p<0.05) but not in the low activity group. Furthermore, the physically active group's work time (WT) values were not correlated with the important metabolic markers SBP, DBP, BPM, GLU, TAG (p>0.05) but could be in the low activity group (p<0.05). These findings highlight the fundamental protective role of physical activity in controlling body composition, subclinical inflammation, and cardiovascular risk in MPOs.