Association between sedentary and physical activity patterns and risk factors of metabolic syndrome in Saudi men: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundThis study examined the association between objectively measured physical activity patterns and risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Saudi men.MethodsThe study was cross-sectional, and 84 healthy men from the Saudi population (age 37.6 ± 8.8 years, body mass index [BMI] 28.4 ± 5.4 kg/m2) were recruited. Measurements of physical activity were made using triaxial accelerometers over 7 consecutive days of leisure time physical activity. Waist circumference and blood pressure were measured, and fasting blood samples taken to measure glucose, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and triglycerides (TG).ResultsA total 21.4 % of participants had three or more risk factors for MetS, with low HDL levels the most frequent factor. Light physical activity (LPA) and BMI explained 13 % of the variation in TG. Moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with a minimum 10-min per session (10-min MVPA), LPA, and BMI explained 16 % of the variation in HDL. Sedentary behavior was not significantly associated with risk factors of MetS, although odds ratios indicated that decreased sedentarism does have a protective effect against MetS.ConclusionsLPA and 10-min MVPA were associated with elevated HDL levels among Saudi men. Future studies should confirm whether time spent physically active independent of intensity is an important factor in improving HDL levels.

The cross‐sectional associations between objectively measured sedentary time and cardiometabolic health markers in adults – a systematic review with meta‐analysis component

“…Sedentary time was positively associated with body mass index (BMI) in 10 papers (six did not adjust for any PA and three became non‐significant following adjustment for MVPA ). Fourteen papers reported no association between sedentary time and BMI . Sedentary time had a positive association with waist circumference in 15 papers (four did not adjust for any PA and four associations became non‐significant following adjustment for MVPA and cardiorespiratory fitness ).…”

“…Thirteen papers reported a negative association between sedentary time and HDL‐C (three papers did not adjust for PA and two became non‐significant following adjustment for MVPA ). Fifteen papers reported no significant association between sedentary time and HDL‐C . Sedentary time and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) were positively associated in two papers , neither of which was adjusted for PA. Twelve papers found no significant association between sedentary time and LDL‐C .…”

“…From the included papers, 10 came from NHANES , three from AusDiab , three from the Whitehall II Study , two from HSE , two from RISC study and one each from the Generation 100 Study , EVIDENT study , Leuven Longitudinal Study on Lifestyle, Fitness and Health (LLSLFH) , Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCPIS) , International Physical Activity and the Environment Network Adult Study , New Method for Objective Measurements of Physical Activity in Daily Living study , Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos and Canadian Health Measures Survey . The remaining 16 papers were all individual/stand‐alone studies . For the meta‐analysis, the aggregated sample size and mean age ( n , years) for the five included health markers were fasting glucose (25,356, 41.6), fasting insulin (10,474, 37.0), triglycerides (26,562, 42.4), HDL‐C (29,582, 46.1) and waist circumference (16,842, 44.6).…”

Correlates of sedentary behaviour in Asian adults: A systematic review

“…This was mirrored by Chinese adults who spent 8.5 hours daily in sedentary pursuits . In South‐East Asia, Singaporean white‐collar workers averaged 11 hours of daily SB, and in the Middle East, Saudi adults spent approximately 9 hours of their waking time in SB …”

“…23 In South-East Asia, Singaporean white-collar workers averaged 11 hours of daily SB, 24 and in the Middle East, Saudi adults spent approximately 9 hours of their waking time in SB. 25 These developments are worrisome, and measures to address the increasing SB time in Asia are needed. A first step is to examine correlates of SB as reported by studies conducted on the continent.…”