Leisure-time physical activity is associated with a reduced risk for metabolic syndrome.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional relationship between leisure-time physical activity and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the Korean population.

METHODS: The study population included 11,925 participants (6,878 men and 5,047 women), aged 30-79 years. Metabolic syndrome was defined based on the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria of having three or more cardiovascular risk factors, with a modified obesity index. Self-reported leisure-time physical activity was calculated using metabolic equivalents (MET) scores. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between leisure-time physical activity and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, with adjustment for other risk factors.

RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 18.2% in men and 8.5% in women. After adjustments for age and education levels, household income, smoking status, and alcohol consumption, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among participants in the middle and top tertiles of leisure-time physical activity was significantly lower than that among those with no physical activity; the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 0.84 (0.71-0.99) and 0.75 (0.62-0.89), respectively, in men and 0.54 (0.39-0.76) and 0.65 (0.48-0.88), respectively, in women.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that increasing levels of leisure-time physical activity, in terms of duration or intensity, are linearly associated with a reduced risk for metabolic syndrome.