Household-specific physical activity levels and energy intakes according to the presence of metabolic syndrome in Korean young adults: Korean National Health and nutrition examination survey 2016–2018

Abstract

Background Participation in exercise, and dietary and nutritional intakes have an impact on the risk and prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), but these effects may differ according to whether a person lives alone or in a multi-person household. We analyzed differences in physical activity (PA) levels and energy intake according to household-type and MetS presence among young adults, to investigate the relationships among these factors. Methods Data of 3974 young adults (aged > 19 years and < 40 years) were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2018). We analyzed PA levels (occupational and recreational PA, and transport) and energy intake (total, carbohydrate, protein, and fat). Results Logistic regression data showed that low PA levels and higher energy intake were associated with MetS incidence and its components in young adults, after adjusting for body mass index, smoking, household-type, and sex. Overall, there was no significant difference in PA level between the MetS and non-MetS group. The total energy intake was higher in the MetS than in the non-MetS group (p < 0.05). These results were similar to those found in multi-person households. In single-person households, the MetS group had significantly lower PA levels (p < 0.01) and total energy intake (p < 0.05) than the non-MetS group. Conclusions We found significant association among low PA levels, high energy intake, and MetS components in young Korean adults, but with patterns differing according to household type. Energy intake was higher in young adults with than those without MetS, who lived in multi-person households, while young adults with MetS who lived alone had lower PA levels and lower energy intake than those without MetS. These findings highlight the need for different approaches of implementing PA and nutrition strategies according to the type of household in order to prevent MetS.

Association of Dietary Fiber and Measures of Physical Fitness with High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

“…Moderate activity consumes approximately four fold as many calories as sedentary activity, whereas high activity consumes approximately eight fold as many calories as sedentary activity. To calculate an individual’s overall energy expenditure using GPAQ data, we assigned four and eight metabolic equivalents of tasks (MET) to moderate and vigorous exercises, respectively [ 53 , 54 ].…”

“…Based on the MET, we classified participants with total physical activity levels of 0–249 min per week as inactive, 250–499 min per week as somewhat active, 500–999 min per week as active, and ≥1000 min per week as very active [ 53 , 54 , 55 ]. Resistance training (the frequency of strength training sessions per week, primarily involving barbells, dumbbells, or push-ups) was categorized as none (0 times per week), ≥1 and <3 times per week, or ≥3 times per week.…”

Sugary snack restriction enhances body composition improvement in overweight women engaging in non-face-to-face walking during COVID-19

“…Particularly noteworthy is the pronounced rise among young adults aged 20–39, with a substantial increase in the number of women residing in single-person households ( 2 ). Single-person households have been linked to reduced physical activity and unhealthy dietary habits, heightening the risk of obesity in comparison to multi-person households ( 3 , 4 ). Research on the general adult population in Korea indicates that individuals living alone tend to consume a higher proportion of energy from fats and a lower intake from carbohydrates and plant proteins ( 5 , 6 ).…”