Physical activity reference for health promotion 2013 and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the association between meeting the reference value for physical activity (PA) defined in the "Physical activity reference for health promotion 2013" recommendations or incremental increases in PA (add 10-minute per day) and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS).

METHODS: A total of 906 adults aged 23-64 years participated in this cross-sectional study. The amount of moderate to vigorous PA was measured with a tri-axial accelerometer. The participants were classified into 2 groups-those with a PA level greater than or equal to the reference value of 23 metabolic equivalents (METs)-hours/week versus those with a PA level less than the reference value. Pre-MS and MS were determined based on the diagnostic criteria used in Japan. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the prevalence of pre-MS and MS by adherence with the PA reference value were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Furthermore, adjusted ORs were calculated for each 3.5 METs-hours/week increase in PA, which is comparable to 10-minute increments of PA such as walking.

RESULTS: The prevalence rates of pre-MS and MS were 10.3% (n=93) and 4.4% (n=40), respectively. The adjusted OR (95% CI) for the prevalence of pre-MS/MS among the participants meeting the PA reference compared with those not meeting the reference was 0.49 (0.33-0.74). Each 3.5 METs-hours/week increase in PA was associated with a lower adjusted OR for the prevalence of pre-MS/MS (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.87-0.98).

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that meeting the reference value for PA (as defined in the "Physical activity reference for health promotion 2013" recommendations) and an increase in PA (add 10-minute) are both associated with a lower prevalence of pre-MS/MS.