ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic disorders, including increased blood pressure, high blood glucose level, abdominal obesity, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. When these metabolic disorders occur concurrently, the risk for developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke increases. According to Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (KNHANES V), about one in four adults have a metabolic syndrome. The prevalence is even higher in the older, female population. Sedentary lifestyle is one of the major risk factors of metabolic syndrome. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that adults aged >18 years perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week. This study aimed to examine the association between leisure-time physical activity and metabolic syndrome.METHODS: A total of 3,453 Korean women aged >50 years who participated in KNHANES VI and VII were evaluated. By using the WHO recommendations, the leisure time physical activity levels were divided into three groups as follows: none, insufficient, and sufficient. The National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III was used to define metabolic syndrome.RESULTS: In this study, leisure-time physical activity level and prevalence of metabolic syndrome were inversely related.CONCLUSION: Leisure time physical activity can be beneficial in reducing the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. More studies on the types and performance duration of physical activities must be conducted to set an appropriate guideline for the middle-aged and elderly female populations.