Longitudinal associations between physical activity and five risk factors of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged adults in Germany

Abstract

Background We examined the longitudinal association between (change in) physical activity (PA) with new onset of five risk factors of metabolic syndrome among 657 middle-aged adults (mean age 44.1 (standard deviation (SD) 8.6) years) who were free of the respective outcome at baseline, in a longitudinal cohort study spanning over 29 years. Methods Levels of habitual PA and sports-related PA were assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. Incident elevated waist circumference (WC), elevated triglycerides (TG), reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterols (HDL), elevated blood pressure (BP), and elevated blood-glucose (BG) were assessed by physicians and by self-reported questionnaires. We calculated Cox proportional hazard ratio regressions and 95% confidence intervals. Results Over time, participants developed (cases of incident risk factor; mean (SD) follow-up time) elevated WC (234 cases; 12.3 (8.2) years), elevated TG (292 cases; 11.1 (7.8) years), reduced HDL (139 cases; 12.4 (8.1) years), elevated BP (185 cases; 11.4 (7.5) years), or elevated BG (47 cases; 14.2 (8.5) years). For PA variables at baseline, risk reductions ranging between 37 and 42% for reduced HDL levels were detected. Furthermore, higher levels of PA (≥ 16.6 METh per week) were associated with a 49% elevated risk for incident elevated BP. Participants who increased PA levels over time, had risk reductions ranging between 38 and 57% for elevated WC, elevated TG and reduced HDL. Participants with stable high amounts of PA from baseline to follow-up had risk reductions ranging between 45 and 87% for incident reduced HDL and elevated BG. Conclusions PA at baseline, starting PA engagement, maintaining and increasing PA level over time are associated with favorable metabolic health outcomes.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome: A Prospective Study on Cardiovascular Health

“…However, the concept that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lower cardiovascular risk, is not supported by several works, which suggest that lower risk for cardiovascular disease outcomes can actually be found in abstainers. These studies bring forth the theory that any amount of alcohol increases blood pressure and the BMI, thus further emphasizing the risk for metabolic syndrome overall [35][36][37][38].…”

Effects of physical activity on the levels of remnant cholesterol: A population‐based study

“…Physical activity (PA) is regarded as an essential component of lifestyle adjustment in the treatment of metabolic associated disease. 27 The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 75–150 min of high‐intensity PA per week, or 150–300 min of moderate to vigorous PA per week, for optimal health. 28 Based on our findings, individuals with high PA are associated with lower RC, which may have a cardio‐protective effect.…”

Tinjauan Pustaka: Sindrom Metabolik

“…Namun, Rus et al (2023) mencatat bahwa tidak ada hubungan langsung antara konsumsi alkohol dan sindrom metabolik; oleh karena itu, tidak dianggap sebagai faktor risiko. Sindrom metabolik cenderung lebih sering terjadi pada individu yang sama sekali tidak mengonsumsi alkohol daripada mereka yang minum dalam jumlah sedang.18 Meskipun demikian, beberapa studi mendukung teori bahwa setiap jumlah alkohol dapat meningkatkan tekanan darah dan indeks massa tubuh (BMI), sehingga menekankan risiko sindrom metabolik secara keseluruhan (Millwood et al, 2019); (Cleven et al, 2023).…”